Used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, particularly in the development of indole-based compounds with potential biological activity. Its aldehyde and ester functional groups allow for versatile chemical transformations, such as condensation reactions and nucleophilic additions, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for constructing complex heterocyclic systems. Commonly employed in research settings to design analogs for drug discovery, especially in areas targeting anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, or anticancer agents.