Naphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid is primarily used in the production of dyes and pigments. Its sulfonic acid groups make it highly soluble in water, which is essential for creating dye solutions. This compound is often employed as an intermediate in the synthesis of azo dyes, which are widely used in textiles, paper, and leather industries. Additionally, it serves as a starting material for fluorescent whitening agents, enhancing the brightness of fabrics and papers. Its ability to form stable complexes with metals also makes it useful in certain analytical chemistry applications, particularly in metal ion detection and separation processes.