Methyl 3-Nitrophthalate is an intermediate in the synthesis of (αS)-3-Ethoxy-4-methoxy-α-[(methylsulfonyl)methyl]-N-[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]-benzenemethanamine which is an impurity of Apremilast (A729700), which is an oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor used for treating psoriatic arthritis.