Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, especially in the production of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The bulky mesityl group provides steric hindrance, enabling selective reactions and making it valuable for constructing complex molecules. It is commonly prepared by Friedel-Crafts acylation of mesitylene with chloroacetyl chloride and serves as a versatile building block for introducing functionalized acyl groups. Also utilized in the development of specialty polymers and in the synthesis of bioactive compounds, including potential antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents.