Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) targeting central nervous system disorders and metabolic diseases. Its structure allows for easy functionalization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building complex piperidine-based molecules. Commonly employed in research settings for creating novel drug candidates due to the presence of reactive functional groups—the cyano and carbonyl moieties—which facilitate further chemical transformations. Also utilized in the preparation of kinase inhibitors and receptor modulators in preclinical drug discovery programs.