Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of anti-inflammatory and central nervous system agents. Its structure allows for easy functionalization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building more complex molecules. Also employed in the preparation of fluorinated analogs of bioactive compounds to enhance metabolic stability and binding affinity. Commonly utilized in research settings for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies due to the presence of both fluorine and hydroxyl groups, which influence polarity and electronic effects.