Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, especially in the preparation of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Its nitro and ester functional groups allow for versatile transformations, such as reduction of the nitro group to an amine for building nitrogen-containing compounds. Commonly employed in the development of active ingredients in crop protection agents due to its ability to serve as a building block for complex molecules with biological activity. Also utilized in research settings for the synthesis of specialty chemicals requiring branched aliphatic chains with functional handles.