2-Nitrobenzenesulfenyl chloride is used primarily in organic synthesis as a versatile reagent for the protection of amines and thiols. It is particularly effective in peptide chemistry for selectively protecting cysteine residues during peptide chain assembly. Additionally, it is employed in the preparation of sulfenamides and sulfenate esters, which serve as intermediates in various pharmaceutical and agrochemical processes. In research, it is utilized for studying reaction mechanisms involving sulfenyl chloride chemistry.