Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that require functionalized aniline derivatives. It plays a key role in the development of certain antihistamines and antidepressants due to its ability to form nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Also utilized in the preparation of dyes and fluorescent compounds for industrial applications. Its reactivity makes it valuable in organic synthesis for introducing chloromethyl groups in complex molecules.