Used as a building block in organic synthesis, particularly in the production of polymers and specialty chemicals. Its conjugated double bond system makes it valuable in reactions such as Diels-Alder cycloadditions, enabling the formation of cyclic compounds. Also employed in the development of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals due to its reactivity and structural features. Can serve as an intermediate in the synthesis of flavor and fragrance compounds, leveraging its unsaturated dicarboxylic acid functionality.