Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of kinase inhibitors for cancer treatment. It serves as a building block in medicinal chemistry due to its ability to undergo selective substitutions on the aromatic ring and nitrogen functionalities. Also employed in the preparation of fluorescent probes and dyes owing to its electron-withdrawing nitro group and conjugated structure. Its derivatives show potential in biological assays targeting inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.