(±)-(18-Crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid is widely used in supramolecular chemistry due to its ability to form stable complexes with metal ions, particularly alkali and alkaline earth metals. Its crown ether structure allows it to selectively bind cations, making it valuable in ion transport studies and the development of ion-selective sensors. The tetracarboxylic acid groups enhance its solubility in aqueous solutions and provide additional binding sites, enabling applications in molecular recognition and host-guest chemistry. It is also employed in the synthesis of advanced materials, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), where its unique structure facilitates the creation of porous networks with specific properties. Additionally, this compound is utilized in analytical chemistry for the separation and detection of metal ions in complex mixtures.