Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of certain antibiotics and antimicrobial agents, particularly in the production of chloramphenicol analogs. It plays a role in constructing complex aromatic frameworks due to the presence of multiple functional groups (amino, chloro, hydroxy, and carboxylic acid), which allow for selective chemical modifications. Commonly employed in pharmaceutical research for developing bioactive molecules and in the preparation of specialty chemicals requiring regioselective substitution patterns on the benzene ring.