2-Hydroxy-5-methylpyridine is a key intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. It is utilized in the production of pyridine-based drugs and bioactive compounds, serving as a building block for herbicides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators. The compound's structure, featuring a hydroxy group at the 2-position and a methyl group at the 5-position, facilitates easy functionalization and derivatization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry research for developing novel therapeutics. Additionally, it acts as a ligand in various catalytic processes in organic synthesis.