Used primarily as a chemical intermediate in organic synthesis, this compound serves in the preparation of modified lipids and fatty acid derivatives. Its structure allows for selective reactions at the sulfonate group, making it useful in introducing unsaturated hydrocarbon chains into larger molecules. It is also employed in research settings to synthesize labeled or functionalized lipids for biochemical studies, including membrane dynamics and lipid metabolism. Due to the presence of conjugated double bonds, it can participate in cycloaddition and other addition reactions useful in pharmaceutical development.