Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive drugs. Its functional groups—aldehyde and nitrile—allow for versatile chemical transformations, enabling the construction of complex molecules. Commonly employed in condensation reactions, nucleophilic additions, and reductive amination processes to build heterocyclic compounds. Also utilized in agrochemical synthesis for developing herbicides and plant growth regulators. Its methyl group enhances stability and influences reactivity, making it suitable for selective reactions in multi-step organic syntheses.