Used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of bioactive compounds and natural product derivatives. It plays a role in the development of pharmaceuticals due to its structural similarity to lignin-related compounds and phenylpropanoids, which exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Also utilized in research settings for studying enzyme inhibition and in the synthesis of analogs for structure-activity relationship studies. Its α,β-unsaturated carbonyl system makes it a useful Michael acceptor in various chemical transformations.