Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of nicotinic receptor agonists and other neuroactive compounds. It serves as a building block in agrochemicals for the production of herbicides and insecticides due to its reactive functional groups. The compound is also employed in the preparation of dyes and fluorescent probes, leveraging its electron-withdrawing substituents for enhanced optical properties. Its nitrile and nitro groups allow for further chemical modifications, making it valuable in research and development of new heterocyclic compounds.