Used as a chelating agent in metal ion extraction and coordination chemistry due to its multiple binding sites. Finds application in the synthesis of catalysts and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Also employed in analytical chemistry for the detection and separation of specific metal ions. Its nitro and carboxylic functional groups make it useful in organic synthesis as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Additionally, it serves as a building block in the preparation of nitrogen-rich heterocyclic compounds.