Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of nicotinic receptor modulators and central nervous system agents. It serves as a building block for heterocyclic compounds with biological activity, enabling the creation of potential treatments for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Its nitrile and carbonyl functional groups allow for diverse chemical modifications, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship studies. Also employed in the preparation of kinase inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents during drug discovery processes.