Used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. It serves as a building block for the formation of more complex amine derivatives through alkylation reactions. Commonly employed in the synthesis of dyes and functionalized aniline compounds due to its reactive bromomethyl group, which allows for easy substitution with nucleophiles. Also utilized in the development of specialty polymers and as a reagent in medicinal chemistry for introducing dimethylaniline moieties into target molecules.