Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system (CNS) agents. It serves in the preparation of compounds with potential antidepressant, antipsychotic, and anxiolytic activities. Its structural features make it valuable in medicinal chemistry for modifying pharmacokinetic properties such as solubility and metabolic stability. Also employed in research settings to explore structure-activity relationships in phenyl-substituted heterocyclic compounds.