Widely used as a ligand in coordination chemistry, this compound forms stable complexes with transition metals, making it valuable in catalysis and sensor development. Its structure allows for strong binding to metal centers, which is exploited in the design of luminescent materials and metal-ion detection systems. It is also applied in supramolecular chemistry for constructing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and other functional assemblies due to its rigid, multidentate nature. Additionally, its ability to selectively bind certain metal ions has led to use in environmental monitoring for detecting heavy metals in water.