Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of kinase inhibitors and other biologically active compounds. Its bromine functionality allows for cross-coupling reactions, enabling the introduction of various substituents through palladium-catalyzed reactions like Suzuki or Heck couplings. The benzyl-protected hydroxyl group can be selectively deprotected to yield a phenolic compound, useful in further derivatization steps. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for constructing complex pyridine-based scaffolds found in drug candidates.