This chemical is primarily used in glycobiology research to study enzyme activities, particularly sialyltransferases. It serves as a chromogenic substrate, featuring a p-nitrophenyl (pNP) group for spectrophotometric detection, to investigate the specificity and kinetics of these enzymes in catalyzing the transfer of sialic acid (Neu5Ac) to the GalNAc acceptor. Its application extends to understanding glycosylation patterns in cellular processes, which are crucial in areas like cancer research, immunology, and infectious diseases. Additionally, it aids in the development of diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents targeting glycosylation-related disorders. Its synthetic structure allows for precise analysis of enzymatic mechanisms and pathways in biochemical studies.