Used in pharmaceutical research as a key intermediate in the synthesis of indole-based bioactive compounds. Its functional groups—aldehyde, ester, and bromine—allow for selective modifications, enabling the development of potential drug candidates targeting inflammation, cancer, and neurological disorders. Commonly employed in cross-coupling reactions, such as Suzuki or Heck reactions, to build complex indole derivatives. Also utilized in the preparation of fluorescent probes due to the inherent photophysical properties of the indole scaffold. Its structural features make it valuable in medicinal chemistry for exploring new molecular architectures with biological activity.