This chemical is primarily used as a chelating agent due to its strong ability to bind with metal ions. It is applied in water treatment processes to prevent scale formation and control metal ion concentrations, particularly in industrial cooling systems and boilers. Additionally, it is utilized in detergents and cleaning products to enhance their effectiveness by sequestering metal ions that can interfere with cleaning. In the field of agriculture, it is employed to improve the availability of essential nutrients in soil by binding with metal ions that may otherwise limit nutrient uptake by plants. Its unique structure also makes it a candidate for research in developing advanced materials and catalysts.