This chemical is primarily utilized in biochemical research, particularly in the study of sialic acids and their interactions with enzymes like sialidases and sialyltransferases. It serves as a synthetic substrate to investigate the enzymatic activity and specificity of these proteins, aiding in understanding their role in cellular processes. Additionally, it is used in the development of assays to monitor enzyme kinetics and inhibition, which can be crucial for drug discovery and the study of diseases related to sialic acid metabolism, such as certain cancers and infections. Its nitrophenyl group allows for easy detection and quantification in experimental setups, making it a valuable tool in laboratory studies.