Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, especially in the preparation of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. Its nitro group allows for further functionalization, such as reduction to an amine, enabling the construction of more complex molecules. Also employed in research settings to study reaction mechanisms involving aromatic systems. Due to the alkyl chain, it exhibits enhanced solubility in organic solvents, making it suitable for use in solvent-based reactions and as a model compound in structure-activity relationship studies.