Used in organic synthesis as a building block for pharmaceuticals and natural product analogs, particularly in the development of compounds with potential anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. It serves as an intermediate in the preparation of stilbene-based derivatives that mimic resveratrol, which are studied for their antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. Also employed in materials science for designing fluorescent probes and photoresponsive materials due to its conjugated structure and light-sensitive characteristics.