Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of kinase inhibitors and other biologically active compounds. Its nitrile and ketone functional groups allow for versatile chemical transformations, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for constructing heterocyclic systems. It is also employed in agrochemical research for designing novel pesticides and herbicides due to its ability to enhance molecular binding and selectivity. Additionally, it serves in materials science for creating specialty organic semiconductors and fluorescent probes.