Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of thiazole-based drugs with antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It plays a key role in the development of certain benzothiazole derivatives that exhibit biological activity, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry. Also utilized in the preparation of dyes and fluorescent agents due to the inherent stability and reactivity of the benzothiazole core. Its chloromethyl group allows for easy functionalization, enabling its use in polymer modification and agrochemical synthesis.