Used as an intermediate in pharmaceutical synthesis, particularly in the development of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulators. It serves as a building block in the preparation of bioactive pyridine derivatives due to the presence of the iodine atom, which allows further functionalization via cross-coupling reactions such as Suzuki or Heck reactions. The benzyloxy groups act as protecting groups for phenolic functionalities and can be removed selectively under mild conditions to yield hydroxylated pyridine compounds. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for constructing complex heterocyclic systems found in neuroactive agents and anti-inflammatory compounds.