Used as a dye intermediate in the textile industry for producing azo dyes, particularly for coloring fabrics with good light and wash fastness. Also serves as a pH indicator in analytical chemistry due to its color change in acidic and basic environments. Employed in research for synthesizing functional organic materials and photoresponsive compounds. Shows potential in photochromic applications, such as light-sensitive switches and optical data storage systems, due to its ability to undergo reversible trans-cis isomerization upon light exposure.