Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of fluorinated drug candidates where the difluoroethoxy group enhances metabolic stability and bioavailability. Its aldehyde functionality allows for easy conversion into various derivatives such as imines, oximes, or alcohols, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building complex molecules. Also employed in the preparation of agrochemicals and functional materials due to the electron-withdrawing effect and lipophilicity imparted by the difluoroethoxy moiety.