Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of fluorinated pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of anti-inflammatory and central nervous system agents. Its aldehyde functional groups allow for condensation reactions, making it valuable in constructing heterocyclic compounds. Commonly employed in research settings to prepare fluorinated analogs of bioactive molecules, enhancing metabolic stability and binding affinity. Also utilized in the preparation of fluorescent probes due to its reactivity with amine-containing compounds, enabling applications in biochemical labeling and imaging.