Benzonitrile is widely used as a solvent in the chemical industry, particularly for its ability to dissolve a variety of organic compounds. It serves as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and dyes. In the production of herbicides and pesticides, it acts as a precursor for compounds like dichlobenil. Additionally, it is employed in the manufacture of rubber chemicals and as a stabilizer in the polymerization of acrylonitrile. Benzonitrile also finds application in organic synthesis, where it is used to introduce the nitrile group into molecules, facilitating the creation of complex chemical structures. Its high dielectric constant makes it suitable for use in electrochemical studies and as a solvent in specialty chemical reactions.