Used in pharmaceutical research as an intermediate in the synthesis of biologically active compounds, particularly in the development of serotonin receptor modulators. Its structure supports activity in central nervous system-targeted drugs, making it valuable in studies related to neuropharmacology. Also employed in the preparation of analogs for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies due to the presence of reactive aldehyde group and fluorinated aromatic ring, which enhance binding selectivity and metabolic stability.