Used primarily in organic synthesis as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals and bioactive compounds. It serves as a building block in the preparation of indole-based derivatives, which are common structures in medicinal chemistry. Its keto-acid functionality allows for diverse chemical transformations, including condensation and cyclization reactions, enabling the development of potential drug candidates targeting neurological disorders, inflammation, and cancer. Also utilized in research settings for designing fluorescent probes due to the inherent photophysical properties of the indole scaffold.