Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of kinase inhibitors and other biologically active molecules. Its imidazole core allows for hydrogen bonding and coordination with metal ions, making it valuable in drug design. The tert-butyl ester group acts as a protecting group, enabling selective reactions in multi-step syntheses. The nitrile (cyano) functionality can be further modified to introduce amides, amines, or heterocyclic structures, enhancing molecular diversity in medicinal chemistry research. Commonly employed in the preparation of protease inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents.