Used in organic synthesis as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Its structure allows for further functionalization, particularly through the nitro group and ester moiety, making it valuable in the preparation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Commonly employed in the development of anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents due to the presence of the 2-nitrophenyl group, which can be reduced to an aniline derivative for use in drug scaffolds. Also utilized in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, serving as a building block in the construction of more complex molecules in medicinal chemistry research.