Used primarily as a biocide and antiseptic in industrial and medical applications. Effective in controlling microbial growth in water systems, including cooling towers and industrial fluids. Commonly formulated into disinfectants for surface sanitation due to its ability to disrupt cell membranes of bacteria and fungi. Also employed as a phase-transfer catalyst in organic synthesis, facilitating reactions between reagents in different phases. Its surfactant properties make it useful in detergents and emulsifiers, where it helps stabilize mixtures and improve cleaning efficiency. Additionally, it is used in molecular biology research for protein or nucleic acid extraction in certain applications.