Used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Its reactive bromomethyl group allows for easy alkylation or introduction of substituents in ring systems. Commonly employed in the formation of heterocyclic compounds and in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients where a benzoate ester functionality is required. Also utilized in the synthesis of ligands for catalysis and in the construction of more complex molecular architectures through nucleophilic substitution reactions.