Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. It serves in the production of certain herbicides due to the presence of the dichlorobenzoate structure, which is active in plant growth regulation. Also employed in organic synthesis for introducing the 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl moiety, useful in developing biologically active compounds. Its ester group allows for further chemical modifications, making it valuable in research and development of new chemical entities.