Used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Its nitrile and ester functional groups allow for versatile transformations, such as cyclization reactions to form heterocyclic compounds like quinolines and benzoxazines. Commonly employed in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where the cyano group can be hydrolyzed to carboxylic acid or reduced to amine functionalities. Also utilized in the synthesis of dyes and functional materials due to its aromatic backbone and reactive substituents.