Used in organic synthesis as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Its functional groups enable derivatization for building complex molecules. Commonly employed in the preparation of heterocyclic compounds and as a building block in the development of bioactive molecules. The thioacetic acid moiety allows for sulfur incorporation, useful in designing enzyme inhibitors. Also applied in research for photo-labile protecting groups due to the nitro and methoxy substitution pattern on the aromatic ring.