Used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the development of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. It serves as a protecting group reagent for amines due to its stability under various reaction conditions and selective deprotection properties. Also employed in the preparation of enzyme inhibitors and bioactive molecules, where the nitrophenyl group acts as a chromophore for easy monitoring of reactions. Its carbamate functionality makes it useful in the construction of urethane-based compounds with specific biological activity.