Used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, particularly in the development of serotonin receptor modulators and other central nervous system agents. Commonly employed in research for constructing indole-based scaffolds due to its reactive nitrile and indole functionalities. Also utilized in agrochemical research for designing bioactive molecules with potential insecticidal or herbicidal activity. Its derivatives are explored in materials science for organic semiconductors and fluorescent dyes owing to extended π-conjugation when functionalized.