Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of isoquinoline-based drugs with potential antitumor, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Its structure allows for further functionalization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building bioactive molecules. Also employed in research for developing novel heterocyclic compounds and in the preparation of fluorescent probes due to the inherent photophysical properties of the isoquinoline scaffold.