Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of antimalarial drugs, particularly in the production of chloroquine and related derivatives. It plays an essential role in pharmaceutical manufacturing due to its ability to form quinoline-based structures that exhibit biological activity against Plasmodium species. The compound is also utilized in research for developing new heterocyclic compounds with potential therapeutic effects. Its carboxylic acid group allows for easy functionalization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building more complex drug molecules.