Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of serotonin receptor modulators and other central nervous system agents. Its structure supports the formation of indole-based bioactive molecules, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for creating compounds with potential antidepressant, anxiolytic, or antipsychotic activity. Also employed in research settings for the design of novel heterocyclic compounds and in the preparation of fluorescent probes due to the inherent photophysical properties of the indole scaffold.