Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antitubercular and antiviral agents. Its aldehyde and nitro functional groups allow for diverse chemical transformations, making it valuable in constructing nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Commonly employed in condensation reactions to form imines or hydrazones, which are precursors to bioactive molecules. Also utilized in the preparation of ligands for catalysis and in medicinal chemistry research for scaffold diversification.