Used primarily in the synthesis of fluorescent dyes and optical brighteners, especially in the production of phthalocyanine-type pigments. It serves as an intermediate in the preparation of dyes for textiles, paper, and plastics due to its ability to enhance color brightness and stability. Also employed in the development of sensors and imaging agents because of its electron-withdrawing nitro group and reactivity in condensation reactions. Additionally, it finds use in pharmaceutical research as a building block for nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds.