Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of fluorescent dyes and nonlinear optical materials. Its strong electron-withdrawing nature makes it suitable for applications in organic electronics, including organic photovoltaics and OLEDs. Also employed in the development of sensors due to its ability to undergo intramolecular charge transfer, which results in noticeable color and fluorescence changes upon interaction with specific analytes. Additionally, it finds use in two-photon absorption materials for bioimaging and photodynamic therapy research.