Used in pharmaceutical research as a key intermediate for synthesizing bioactive compounds, particularly in the development of kinase inhibitors and CNS-targeted drugs. Its trifluoromethyl group enhances metabolic stability and membrane permeability, making it valuable in optimizing drug candidates. Also employed in agrochemicals for designing novel pesticides with improved efficacy and environmental profile. Common in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies due to its rigid isoquinoline scaffold and electron-withdrawing substituent.