Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of certain herbicides and plant growth regulators. It serves as a building block in organic reactions due to the presence of both aldehyde and nitro groups, enabling condensation and reduction reactions. Also employed in the preparation of dyes and UV absorbers for coatings and plastics, offering stability against sunlight degradation. Its hydroxyl and aldehyde functionalities allow for chelation with metal ions, making it useful in analytical chemistry for metal ion detection and sensing applications.