Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of imidazole-based drugs which exhibit antifungal, antihypertensive, and anticancer activities. It serves as a carbonylating agent in organic transformations, facilitating the formation of cyclic carbonates and carbamates under mild conditions. Its structure allows for easy functionalization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building bioactive molecules. Also employed in the preparation of heterocyclic compounds for use in agrochemicals and functional materials.