Used primarily in the dye industry, it serves as an intermediate for producing azo dyes, which are widely applied in textiles, paper, and leather coloring. Its sulfonic acid group enhances water solubility, making it valuable for creating dyes with strong adherence to fabrics. Additionally, it finds use in organic synthesis for preparing naphthalene derivatives with specific functional properties. In research, it acts as a reagent for studying sulfonation processes and developing new chemical compounds. Its role in manufacturing fluorescent brightening agents is also notable, contributing to improved brightness in various materials.