Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of local anesthetics and antiarrhythmic agents. It serves as a building block in organic reactions where a chloroacetamide moiety is required for nucleophilic substitution or cyclization processes. Its cyclohexyl group imparts lipophilicity, which can influence the pharmacokinetic properties of the final active compound. Also utilized in agrochemical synthesis for developing certain herbicides and plant growth regulators. Due to its reactivity, it is handled carefully in controlled environments for safe industrial application.