Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with central nervous system activity. It serves as a building block in the preparation of piperazine-containing molecules, which are common in drugs targeting psychiatric and neurological disorders. Its nitrile and carbonyl functional groups allow for further chemical modifications, enabling the creation of diverse compound libraries for drug discovery. Commonly employed in research settings for the development of antidepressants, antipsychotics, and cognitive enhancers.