Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of herbicides, particularly in the production of plant growth regulators and selective weed control agents. Its structure allows for derivatization into active ingredients that disrupt auxin transport in plants, leading to targeted plant growth inhibition. Commonly employed in agricultural chemistry for developing crop protection chemicals with high specificity and lower environmental impact. Also utilized in research for designing new bioactive molecules due to the reactivity of the cyano and carboxylic acid groups in coupling reactions.