Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of opioid analgesics and other central nervous system agents. It serves as a building block for constructing piperidine-based drug molecules due to its reactive ketone and aromatic functional groups. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for modifying molecular structures to enhance bioavailability and receptor selectivity. Also utilized in research settings for developing novel psychoactive substances and studying structure-activity relationships in nitrogen-containing heterocycles.