Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for central nervous system (CNS) drugs. It serves as a building block in the production of certain antidepressants and anxiolytic agents due to its ability to modify bioactive molecule structures. Its nitrile and amine functional groups allow for versatile chemical transformations, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for constructing complex heterocyclic systems. Also employed in the preparation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and related compounds through multi-step organic synthesis.