Used primarily as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of central nervous system (CNS) agents. Its structure supports the creation of potent NMDA receptor antagonists and sigma receptor ligands, which are investigated for treating neurological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and neuropathic pain. The ethynyl group allows for further functionalization via click chemistry, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for rapid compound optimization. Also employed in research settings to develop novel psychoactive substances and probe receptor binding mechanisms.