Used primarily in pharmaceutical research as a key intermediate in the synthesis of lenalidomide, a potent immunomodulatory and anti-cancer agent. It plays a critical role in the development of targeted cancer therapies, especially in the treatment of multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes. Due to its reactive functional groups, it is also employed in the design of prodrugs and in structure-activity relationship studies to enhance drug efficacy and reduce side effects. Its formyl group allows for selective chemical modifications, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for optimizing pharmacokinetic properties.