Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals due to its reactive bromomethyl and carboxylic acid functional groups. The compound enables the attachment of aromatic moieties to larger molecular structures through alkylation or esterification reactions. Commonly employed in the preparation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where a benzoic acid derivative with a halogenated side chain is required. Also utilized in the production of liquid crystals and specialty polymers, where it acts as a building block for crosslinking or functionalization. Its dual functionality makes it valuable in combinatorial chemistry and drug discovery for creating diverse compound libraries.