Used primarily as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulators. It plays an important role in the production of drugs targeting neurological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Due to its structural similarity to nicotine, derivatives of this compound are explored for their potential in treating addiction and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Its carboxylic acid functionality allows for easy modification, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for creating analogs with optimized pharmacokinetic properties.