Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of indole-based drugs with biological activity. It serves in the preparation of compounds targeting serotonin receptors and kinase inhibitors due to the indole scaffold's prevalence in medicinal chemistry. Its nitro and carboxylic acid functional groups allow for further chemical modifications, enabling the creation of diverse derivatives for drug discovery and research. Also employed in the production of agrochemicals and fluorescent dyes where indole derivatives enhance photophysical properties.