Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, particularly in the production of certain fungicides and plant growth regulators. It serves as a building block in organic reactions where nitrile and ketone functionalities are required for further derivatization. Its methoxy-substituted aromatic structure makes it suitable for constructing complex molecules in fine chemical manufacturing. Also employed in the development of photoinitiators for UV-curable coatings due to its ability to participate in radical generation under light exposure.