Used in organic synthesis as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals and bioactive compounds. Its aldehyde functional group allows for easy modification, making it valuable in constructing indole-based derivatives. Commonly applied in the development of medicinal agents, particularly in the design of serotonin receptor modulators and kinase inhibitors. Also utilized in the synthesis of fluorescent dyes and optoelectronic materials due to the inherent aromatic and electron-rich nature of the indole scaffold. Frequently employed in research settings for generating compound libraries in drug discovery.