Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of antimalarial drugs, particularly in the development of quinoline-based pharmaceuticals. It serves as a building block for introducing functional groups at specific positions on the quinoline ring, enabling the creation of compounds with enhanced biological activity. Its aldehyde group allows for condensation reactions, facilitating the formation of Schiff bases or other derivatives important in medicinal chemistry. Also employed in the research of fluorescent probes due to the inherent photophysical properties of the quinoline scaffold.