Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of fungicides and herbicides due to the difluoromethyl group enhancing metabolic stability and lipophilicity. Its aldehyde functionality allows for easy conversion into various derivatives such as imines, oximes, and heterocycles, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building active pharmaceutical ingredients. Also employed in the preparation of fluorinated organic compounds where the presence of fluorine improves bioavailability and binding affinity.