Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antihypertensive drugs and other nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds. Its functional groups allow for easy modification in multi-step organic reactions, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry. Also employed in the preparation of ligands for metal-catalyzed reactions. Its ester and carboxylic acid moieties enable it to participate in coupling reactions, contributing to the construction of complex molecules in drug discovery and agrochemical research.