Used in pharmaceutical research as a potent inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), particularly HDAC6. This compound shows promise in the development of anticancer therapies due to its ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in tumor cells. It is also investigated for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, making it relevant in studies related to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Its hydroxamic acid functional group enables strong chelation of zinc ions in the active site of HDAC enzymes, enhancing its inhibitory activity. Commonly employed in biochemical assays and cell-based studies to modulate acetylation levels of key regulatory proteins.