Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that require a benzaldehyde backbone with a tertiary amine side chain. Its structure allows for easy functionalization, making it valuable in creating antihistamines, antidepressants, and other central nervous system agents. Commonly employed in reductive amination reactions to form secondary or tertiary amines. Also utilized in the preparation of ligands for catalysis and in the development of agrochemicals due to its reactivity and solubility properties.