Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of serotonin receptor modulators and other central nervous system agents. Its structure allows for selective functionalization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for constructing complex heterocyclic systems. Commonly employed in cross-coupling reactions such as Suzuki or Heck reactions to build biaryl frameworks in drug candidates. Also utilized in the preparation of fluorescent probes and organic semiconductors due to its electron-withdrawing nitrile group and extended π-conjugation.