Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of kinase inhibitors for cancer treatment. Its structure allows for selective modification, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for optimizing drug potency and bioavailability. Commonly employed in research settings to design analogs targeting neurological disorders and inflammatory diseases due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Also utilized in the preparation of fluorescent probes for biochemical assays, leveraging the nitrile and aldehyde functional groups for conjugation.