Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, particularly in the production of advanced antimicrobial agents. Its structure allows for functionalization at multiple sites, making it valuable for developing compounds with enhanced antibacterial activity. Commonly employed in pharmaceutical research to build the core scaffold of quinolone-based drugs targeting DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV in bacteria. Also utilized in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to optimize potency, spectrum of activity, and pharmacokinetic properties of new antibiotic candidates.