Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It serves as a building block for ester and amide derivatives that exhibit biological activity. Commonly employed in organic synthesis for introducing phenoxyacetic acid functionalities. Also utilized in the development of herbicides due to its structural similarity to plant growth regulators. Its carboxyl and ether functional groups allow for easy modification in multi-step synthetic routes.