Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and dyes, particularly in the production of certain antihistamines and sunscreen agents. It also serves as a building block in organic synthesis for introducing nitro-substituted aromatic systems. Its photochemical properties make it useful in studies involving photoaffinity labeling to investigate biological binding sites. Additionally, it finds application in the preparation of liquid crystals and other functional materials due to its stable aromatic structure and electron-withdrawing nitro group.