Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of fluorinated pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system (CNS) agents and antiviral drugs. Its structure supports enhanced metabolic stability and membrane permeability due to the fluorine and trifluoromethyl groups, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for optimizing drug candidates. Commonly employed in the preparation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where fluorinated aromatic ketones are required for coupling reactions or as building blocks in heterocycle formation.