Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and functional materials, particularly in the development of bioactive compounds and fluorescent dyes. Its nitrile and hydroxyl functional groups allow for versatile chemical modifications, making it valuable in constructing complex organic molecules. Commonly employed in the preparation of heterocyclic compounds and coordination chemistry for metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Also finds use in the design of sensors and optoelectronic materials due to its ability to participate in hydrogen bonding and metal coordination.