Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of fluorescent dyes and optical brighteners due to its conjugated structure and multiple reactive sites. Its aldehyde and hydroxyl groups allow for easy functionalization in organic reactions, making it valuable in developing sensors for metal ion detection, especially aluminum and iron. Also employed in the preparation of coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) where it acts as a multidentate ligand. Additionally, it finds use in the pharmaceutical field as a building block for heterocyclic compounds with potential biological activity, and has been studied for applications in targeted drug delivery systems through formation of nanocapsules via condensation reactions.