Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antimalarial and anticancer agents. Its structure allows for functionalization at multiple sites, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for designing bioactive molecules. It is also employed in the preparation of isoquinoline-based kinase inhibitors and antimicrobial compounds. Due to its chlorine and carboxylic acid groups, it serves as a building block in cross-coupling reactions and heterocyclic derivatizations important in drug discovery.