Used as a derivatization reagent in analytical chemistry to detect and quantify carbonyl compounds such as aldehydes and ketones. It reacts selectively with carbonyl groups to form stable hydrazone derivatives, which can be easily analyzed by HPLC or GC-MS. This makes it valuable in environmental analysis, food testing, and metabolic studies where sensitive detection of trace carbonyls is required. Also employed in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds and pharmaceutical intermediates due to its ability to introduce nitro-aromatic functionality in organic reactions.