Used in organic synthesis as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals and bioactive compounds. Its structure supports the development of indole-based derivatives, which are common in medicinal chemistry, particularly in the design of serotonin receptor modulators and anticancer agents. The bromo group allows for cross-coupling reactions, such as Suzuki or Heck reactions, enabling the introduction of aromatic substituents. The hydroxymethyl functional group can be further modified to esters, ethers, or aldehydes, increasing its utility in building complex molecules. Commonly employed in research settings for the synthesis of tryptamine and tryptophan analogs.