Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of bioactive molecules and drug candidates. Its structure supports the construction of complex heterocyclic systems, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for creating analogs with potential neurological, anti-inflammatory, or metabolic activity. The nitrile group allows for further functionalization, enabling conversion to tetrazoles, carboxylic acids, or amines, which are common pharmacophores. Commonly employed in research settings for scaffold diversification in early-stage drug discovery.