Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of porphyrin analogs and other biologically active heterocyclic compounds. Its structure supports the construction of complex macrocycles found in heme and chlorophyll derivatives. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for developing antitumor and antimicrobial agents due to its ability to mimic natural pyrrolic systems. Also applied in materials science for designing organic semiconductors and fluorescent dyes, where the aldehyde and ester functionalities allow further derivatization and tuning of electronic properties.