Used as a sensitive reagent for the spectrophotometric determination of carbonyl compounds, especially aldehydes and ketones. It reacts selectively with carbonyl groups to form colored derivatives that can be measured at specific wavelengths, enabling accurate quantification in environmental, industrial, and biological samples. Commonly applied in air quality monitoring to detect volatile aldehydes like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde from emissions and indoor air. Also utilized in food analysis to assess oxidative rancidity by measuring secondary oxidation products such as malondialdehyde. Its high reactivity and stability in aqueous solution make it suitable for automated analytical systems and routine laboratory testing.