5-Methylfurfural is primarily used as an intermediate in the synthesis of fine chemicals and bio-based products. It serves as a building block for the production of fuels and fuel additives due to its high energy density and potential for conversion into liquid alkanes. It is also employed in the preparation of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty polymers. Its reactivity allows for transformation into valuable derivatives such as diols, acids, and amines, which find use in material science and industrial chemistry. Additionally, it has been explored in the development of sustainable platform chemicals from biomass, supporting green chemistry initiatives.