Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of fluorinated drug compounds where the fluorine atoms enhance metabolic stability and bioavailability. Commonly employed in the production of anti-inflammatory agents and central nervous system drugs. Also utilized in agrochemical synthesis for creating herbicides and fungicides due to its ability to modulate biological activity in target organisms. Its carboxylic acid group allows for easy derivatization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building more complex molecules through ester or amide formation.