Used primarily in peroxyoxalate chemiluminescent reactions, this compound reacts with hydrogen peroxide to produce light without the need for external light sources. It is especially valuable in glow stick formulations. Its high reactivity with peroxides also makes it useful in analytical chemistry for detecting trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide generated by enzymes, such as glucose oxidase, in environmental and biological samples, including assays for blood glucose levels. Additionally, it serves as a reagent in organic synthesis for generating excited-state intermediates in light-emitting reactions.