Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of nitro alcohols and other functionalized compounds. Its reactivity stems from the presence of both nitro and ester groups, enabling transformations such as reduction to yield amino alcohols, which are valuable building blocks in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. It also serves in the synthesis of specialty polymers and energetic materials due to the nitro group’s contribution to energy density. Additionally, it can act as a solvent or reagent in controlled nitration reactions where selective functionalization is required.