Used in organic synthesis as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals and bioactive compounds. Serves as a building block in the preparation of indole-based derivatives with potential medicinal properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agents. Commonly employed in the development of serotonin receptor ligands and other neuroactive molecules due to the indole scaffold's prevalence in central nervous system drugs. Also utilized in material science for synthesizing fluorescent dyes and optoelectronic materials owing to its conjugated aldehyde functionality and aromatic structure.