Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of certain herbicides and fungicides. It serves as a building block in organic reactions where the nitrile group can be transformed into other functional groups such as carboxylic acids, amines, or tetrazoles. Its aromatic structure with methyl substituents enhances reactivity in electrophilic substitution and metal-catalyzed coupling reactions, making it valuable in fine chemical manufacturing. Also employed in the development of liquid crystals and specialty polymers due to its thermal stability and polar nature.