Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of kinase inhibitors and antitumor agents. Its structure supports binding to specific enzyme active sites, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for designing drugs targeting cancer and inflammatory diseases. Also employed in the preparation of fluorescent probes due to its electron-withdrawing nitrile and halogen substituents, which enhance photophysical properties. Commonly utilized in research settings for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies involving indole-based bioactive molecules.