Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of biologically active compounds, particularly in pharmaceutical research. It serves as a building block for indole-based derivatives that exhibit potential antitumor, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities. Its nitrile and sulfonyl functional groups allow for further chemical modifications, enabling the development of novel drug candidates. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship studies due to its rigid aromatic framework and ease of functionalization.