Used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, particularly in the development of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It serves as a building block in organic reactions due to the presence of both carboxylic acid and nitro functional groups, enabling derivatization into amides, esters, and reduced amino compounds. Its aromatic structure with electron-withdrawing nitro group and hydrophobic isopropyl substituent makes it valuable in fine chemical synthesis and medicinal chemistry research for designing bioactive molecules.