Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of quinoline-based pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antimicrobial and antiviral agents. Its nitro and hydroxy functional groups allow for further chemical modifications, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building bioactive molecules. Also employed in research settings to develop fluorescent probes due to the inherent photophysical properties of the quinoline scaffold. Its ester group facilitates solubility and reactivity in organic synthesis, enabling efficient derivatization for drug discovery and material science applications.