Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antimalarial and antibacterial agents. It serves as a building block in organic reactions due to the reactive bromo and hydroxyl groups, enabling functionalization for complex heterocyclic compounds. Also employed in the preparation of dyes and fluorescent probes for biological imaging, leveraging its quinoline backbone for enhanced photostability and emission properties. Its derivatives show potential in coordination chemistry as ligands for metal-based catalysts.