Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of lignans and other bioactive natural products, this compound plays an important role in pharmaceutical research, particularly in the development of anticancer and antioxidant agents. Its structure allows for selective functionalization, making it valuable in creating analogs for structure-activity relationship studies. Additionally, it serves as a building block in the preparation of chiral ligands and catalysts used in asymmetric synthesis. Due to its stability and reactivity profile, it is also employed in the development of sensors and functional materials where aromatic aldehyde derivatives are required.