Used as a reducing agent in textile printing and dyeing processes, particularly for vat dyes and sulfur dyes. It helps in solubilizing the dye by converting it to its leuco form, allowing better fabric penetration. Also employed in polymer chemistry as a catalyst or initiator in certain radical reactions. In some cases, it is used in water treatment to remove chlorine or other oxidizing agents. Its reducing properties make it useful in chemical synthesis where mild reduction is required without affecting other functional groups.