Used primarily 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 the preparation of potential antitumor, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory agents. Its chloro group allows for further functionalization through cross-coupling reactions, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Also employed in the research of kinase inhibitors and central nervous system-active compounds due to the isoquinoline scaffold’s affinity for various biological targets.