Succinyl phosphonate trisodium salt is primarily used as a potent inhibitor of succinyl-CoA synthetase, an enzyme involved in the citric acid cycle. This property makes it valuable in biochemical research for studying metabolic pathways and energy production in cells. It is also utilized in enzymology to investigate enzyme mechanisms and kinetics, particularly in relation to ATP and GTP synthesis. Additionally, it has applications in the development of therapeutic agents targeting metabolic disorders, as it can help in understanding and modulating cellular metabolism. In agricultural research, it is sometimes employed to study plant respiration and energy metabolism, aiding in the development of strategies to improve crop efficiency.