Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of vitamin D analogs and related steroid-like compounds. It serves as a building block in organic reactions where its functionalized naphthalene core allows for further chemical modifications. Its structure supports ring transformations and halogen-directed substitutions, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for creating biologically active molecules. Also employed in research settings for studying reaction mechanisms involving dihydronaphthalene derivatives.