Used in the chemical industry as a building block for synthesizing quaternary ammonium compounds, which function as cationic surfactants. Commonly employed to accelerate chemical reactions, particularly in phase-transfer catalysis systems, facilitating efficient interactions between water-soluble and water-insoluble reactants.

Additionally, utilized in materials science research for creating supramolecular structures or organic-inorganic hybrid materials, owing to its self-assembly properties and functional groups that readily form ionic bonds with other substances.

In certain applications, it is studied for targeted drug delivery systems, leveraging its water solubility and ability to interact with negatively charged cell membranes.

This compound, a viologen derivative, also serves as a redox indicator in research due to its reversible electron transfer reactions, and its structure supports stability in aqueous solutions across various pH conditions.