Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antimalarial drugs. It serves as a building block for quinoline-based compounds that exhibit biological activity, including antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties. Its reactive chloromethyl group allows for easy functionalization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for creating derivatives with enhanced efficacy. Also employed in research for developing novel organic compounds and in the preparation of ligands for catalytic processes.