Used primarily in research settings as a metabolic intermediate in studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolism. It serves as a model compound for investigating the biochemical transformation and detoxification pathways of carcinogenic PAHs in biological systems. Commonly employed in in vitro assays to evaluate enzyme activity, particularly cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation, and to assess the formation of reactive metabolites that may bind to DNA. Also utilized in environmental toxicology to understand the metabolic activation of PAHs found in pollutants such as cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust, and charred foods. Its structure helps researchers probe structure-activity relationships in mutagenicity and carcinogenicity testing.