Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of vitamin E (tocopherol), where it undergoes oxidation and further chemical transformations to form the chromanol ring structure. Also employed in the production of dyes and fluorescent whitening agents due to its aromatic structure. Serves as a model compound in studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degradation and environmental behavior. Additionally, it finds use in organic synthesis and as a reference standard in analytical chemistry for identifying naphthalene derivatives.