Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antiviral and antifungal agents. Its structure allows for easy modification of the benzimidazole core, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for creating compounds with enhanced biological activity. Commonly employed in the preparation of protease inhibitors and kinase inhibitors due to the reactivity of the chloromethyl group, which can be further substituted to introduce various functional moieties. Also utilized in agrochemical research for designing new active ingredients in crop protection agents.