Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that require nitrile and amide functionalities. Its structure allows for facile transformations in heterocyclic chemistry, making it valuable in the development of kinase inhibitors and other biologically active molecules. Also employed in the preparation of specialty agrochemicals due to its reactivity in carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. Its dimethylamino group enhances solubility and reactivity under mild reaction conditions, beneficial for multistep organic syntheses.