Used as an alkylating agent in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of heterocyclic compounds and pharmaceutical intermediates. Its reactivity allows for the introduction of the iodoacetyl group, which can undergo further transformations such as nucleophilic substitution or coupling reactions. Commonly employed in the synthesis of protected amino acids and peptide mimetics due to the stability of the tert-butyl ester group under various reaction conditions. Also serves as a building block in the development of functionalized polymers and agrochemicals.