Primarily used in research, it serves as a selective agonist for the estrogen receptor beta (ERβ). This property makes it valuable in studying the role of ERβ in various biological processes, including neuroprotection, inflammation, and metabolism. It is often employed in preclinical studies to explore potential therapeutic applications for conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. Additionally, it helps in understanding the differential effects of estrogen receptor subtypes, contributing to the development of targeted therapies with fewer side effects compared to non-selective estrogen receptor modulators.