Glyoxalbis(2-hydroxyanil) is primarily used as an analytical reagent in chemical analysis and coordination chemistry. It can be used in the detection and study of metal ions through the formation of colored complexes.

It serves as a complexing or chelating agent that binds with certain metal ions supporting their identification and analysis in laboratory applications.

Glyoxalbis(2-hydroxyanil) is an organic compound containing phenolic hydroxyl and imine functional groups. These groups enable it to interact with metal ions and form complexes useful in analytical chemistry.