Used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, particularly in the development of vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory agents. It serves as a key building block in the preparation of certain cardiovascular drugs due to its structural similarity to biologically active trimethoxyphenyl compounds. Also employed in research related to smooth muscle relaxation and blood flow improvement. Its carboxylic acid functionality allows for easy derivatization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for creating esters, amides, and other functionalized derivatives for drug discovery.