Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of chiral drugs where its stereochemistry plays a key role. It serves in the development of analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents due to the presence of the dichlorophenyl moiety, which is common in bioactive molecules. Also employed in agrochemical synthesis for creating herbicides and fungicides, leveraging the stability and lipophilicity imparted by the aromatic ring with halogen substituents. Its hydroxyl group allows for further functionalization, making it a versatile building block in asymmetric synthesis and medicinal chemistry research.