Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of selective kinase inhibitors, particularly in pharmaceutical research targeting cancer therapies. Its unique polycyclic structure with nitro and trifluoromethyl groups enhances binding affinity to specific enzyme active sites, making it valuable in developing anti-tumor agents. Also employed in the design of fluorescent probes due to its electron-withdrawing substituents, which influence photophysical properties useful in bioimaging and cellular tracking studies.