Used in pharmaceutical research as a key intermediate in the synthesis of selective kinase inhibitors, particularly targeting protein kinases involved in inflammatory pathways and cancer progression. Its structural features allow for strong binding interactions with enzyme active sites, making it valuable in developing anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents. Also employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies due to its ability to modulate biological activity when substituted on the naphthalene core. Additionally, it serves as a building block in the preparation of fluorescent probes for biochemical assays, leveraging its aromatic framework for detectable signaling in cellular environments.