Used primarily as a photoaffinity labeling agent in biochemical and pharmacological research. Upon exposure to light, it generates highly reactive carbenes that form covalent bonds with nearby biomolecules, allowing scientists to study molecular interactions, such as ligand-receptor binding, protein-protein interactions, and enzyme-substrate relationships. Its small size and specific reactivity make it ideal for probing binding sites without significantly altering the structure of the molecules it's attached to. Commonly incorporated into probe molecules to identify and isolate target proteins in complex biological systems.