Used primarily in organic synthesis, this compound serves as a key reagent for introducing the isothiocyanate functional group into various molecules. Its long hydrocarbon chain makes it suitable for creating surfactants and amphiphilic compounds used in coatings and emulsifiers. It is also employed in the development of specialty polymers, where the isothiocyanate group reacts with amines or alcohols to form thiourea or thiocarbamate linkages, enhancing material durability. In research, it acts as a derivatizing agent for detecting or modifying biomolecules due to its selective reactivity with nucleophiles like primary amines. Additionally, it finds use in agrochemical formulations as a building block for certain pesticides and plant growth regulators.