Used primarily as a chelating agent in analytical chemistry, it forms stable complexes with metal ions, particularly iron, enabling the quantitative determination of iron concentrations in various samples. It is also employed in spectrophotometric assays to measure trace amounts of metals due to its strong colorimetric response. In biochemistry, it serves as a reagent for studying enzyme inhibition and metal ion interactions in biological systems. Additionally, it is utilized in the synthesis of coordination compounds and as a catalyst in organic reactions. Its ability to bind selectively to metal ions makes it valuable in environmental testing for detecting heavy metal contamination.