2-(Trimethylsilyl)phenyl trifluoromethanesulfonate is a specialty reagent in organic synthesis, renowned for its role as a precursor to benzyne. It undergoes elimination, often fluoride-promoted, to generate benzyne in situ, a highly reactive intermediate used in cycloadditions, nucleophilic aromatic substitutions, and C-H activation reactions. These transformations enable the construction of complex polycyclic structures, making it indispensable for synthesizing pharmaceuticals, natural products, agrochemicals, and advanced materials. The ortho-trimethylsilyl and triflate groups provide the necessary alignment for efficient aryne formation under mild conditions, offering advantages in selectivity and yield over traditional methods.