Used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The presence of the nitro group allows for further functionalization, such as reduction to an amine, enabling the construction of more complex molecules. The tert-butyl ester group acts as a protecting group for carboxylic acids, making this compound useful in multi-step synthesis where selective reactivity is required. It is also employed in the development of liquid crystal materials and functional polymers due to its stable aromatic and ester functionalities.