Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of dyes and pigments, particularly in the development of azo dyes for textiles and printing inks. It also serves in the preparation of certain pharmaceuticals where nitro-substituted aromatic acetamides act as precursors in drug synthesis. Its structure allows for further functionalization through reduction of the nitro group, enabling the formation of amine derivatives important in agrochemicals and medicinal chemistry. Additionally, it finds use in research settings for studying electrophilic substitution reactions in hindered aromatic systems.