Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It serves as a key building block in the production of ketoprofen, a widely used analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. Its structure allows for efficient derivatization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for developing compounds with enhanced biological activity. Also employed in photochemistry studies due to its ability to undergo efficient photoreactions upon UV exposure, useful in polymer crosslinking and photoinitiator systems.