Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of advanced organic materials, particularly in the development of liquid crystal polymers and photoresponsive compounds. Its rigid aromatic structure and carboxylic acid functional groups enable coordination with metals or participation in polymerization reactions, making it valuable in creating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and functional coatings. Also explored in dye-sensitized solar cells and as a building block for stimuli-responsive smart materials due to its ability to undergo reversible imine bond formation and photoisomerization behavior.