This chemical is primarily used in the field of materials science, particularly in the development of coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Its terpyridine moiety acts as a strong chelating agent, enabling the formation of stable complexes with various metal ions. These complexes are often employed in the design of luminescent materials, which are utilized in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and sensors for detecting metal ions or small molecules. Additionally, it serves as a building block in supramolecular chemistry for constructing intricate architectures with potential applications in catalysis and molecular recognition. Its ability to bind metals also makes it valuable in the synthesis of catalysts for organic transformations.