Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of antiviral and anticancer agents. The nitro group at position 5 and the ethyl carboxylate at position 2 enable diverse functionalization at multiple sites, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building pyrimidine-based drug candidates. Commonly employed in reactions involving nucleophilic substitution or cyclization to form fused heterocyclic systems. Also utilized in agrochemical research for designing bioactive molecules with pesticidal or herbicidal activity.