Used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly as an intermediate in the production of sulfonamide antibiotics, antiviral and anticancer agents. Its pyrimidine core is essential in nucleic acid metabolism, enabling its use as a building block for enzyme inhibitors targeting viral replication or cancer cell division. It also serves as a key intermediate in the synthesis of vitamin B1 (thiamine) and other bioactive compounds in pharmaceutical research. Additionally, it finds use in the preparation of fluorescent dyes and optical brighteners for textiles and paper.