Used as a chelating agent in industrial water treatment to bind heavy metal ions such as copper, nickel, and lead, preventing metal-catalyzed oxidation, scale formation, and reducing heavy metal levels in wastewater to safe concentrations.

Effective in stabilizing metal ions in electroplating baths and enhancing the efficiency of bleaching processes in the pulp and paper industry.

Employed in agriculture as a micronutrient carrier in fertilizers to improve metal uptake in plants.

Utilized in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, including as a starting material for drugs treating metal accumulation disorders like Wilson's disease, which helps remove excess copper from the body.

Also serves as a curing agent for epoxy resins, providing improved thermal resistance, strength, and chemical resistance in coatings and adhesives.

In research laboratories, it acts as a ligand in transition metal complexes to study chemical and biological properties of coordination compounds.