Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of dyes and pigments, particularly in the production of nonlinear optical materials. It serves in the preparation of push-pull chromophores due to its strong electron-donating dibutylamino group and electron-withdrawing aldehyde functionality, making it valuable in organic electronics and photonic devices. Also employed in the development of fluorescent probes and sensors for biological imaging. Its structural features allow for conjugation into larger aromatic systems used in OLEDs and other optoelectronic applications.