Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of herbicidal compounds, particularly in the development of acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. These herbicides are effective in controlling a broad spectrum of weeds in crops such as corn, soybeans, and rice. The compound's structure allows for strong binding to the ALS enzyme in plants, disrupting branched-chain amino acid synthesis, which leads to inhibited growth and eventual plant death. Its stability and reactivity make it suitable for formulation into selective, post-emergence herbicide products with low application rates and minimal environmental impact.