Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of quinolone antibiotics, particularly in the production of fluoroquinolones which exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Its structure serves as a core scaffold for building molecules that inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, essential enzymes for bacterial replication. It is also employed in medicinal chemistry research for developing new antimicrobial agents and in structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to enhance potency and reduce resistance in antibiotic design.