Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active ingredients for anti-inflammatory and antifungal agents. Its α,β-unsaturated ester structure makes it valuable in Michael addition reactions and other carbon-carbon bond-forming processes in medicinal chemistry. Also employed in the preparation of fluorinated analogs of biologically active molecules, where the fluorine atom enhances metabolic stability and binding affinity. Commonly utilized in research settings for the construction of heterocyclic compounds and as a building block in combinatorial chemistry.