Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of isoquinoline-based compounds with biological activity. It serves as a building block in medicinal chemistry for creating kinase inhibitors and antimicrobial agents. The presence of both chloro and nitrile functional groups allows for selective cross-coupling reactions, enabling the introduction of various substituents during drug design. Also employed in research settings to develop fluorescent probes and heterocyclic compounds for biochemical assays.