Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of antimalarial drugs, particularly in the development of quinoline-based pharmaceuticals. It serves as a building block for modifying the quinoline core to enhance biological activity against Plasmodium species. Also employed in the preparation of fluorescent probes due to its electron-withdrawing nitrile group and heterocyclic structure, making it useful in biochemical imaging and sensor applications. Additionally, it finds use in research for developing novel antimicrobial and anticancer agents through derivatization at the 4 and 8 positions.