Used primarily as a monomer in the synthesis of conductive polymers and polydiacetylenes, which exhibit unique optical and electronic properties. These materials are applied in sensors for detecting biological and chemical substances due to their color-changing (chromic) responses to environmental stimuli such as temperature, pH, or ligand binding. Also employed in research for developing nonlinear optical materials and thin films for photonic devices. Its ability to undergo topochemical polymerization makes it valuable in creating highly ordered polymer structures at the molecular level.