This chemical is primarily used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Its structure, featuring both bromomethyl and trifluoromethyl groups, makes it valuable for introducing these functional groups into more complex molecules.

In pharmaceuticals, it is often employed in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where the trifluoromethyl group can enhance the metabolic stability and bioavailability of the drug. The bromomethyl group serves as a reactive site for further chemical modifications, enabling the creation of diverse molecular structures.

In agrochemicals, it is utilized to synthesize compounds that act as herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides. The presence of fluorine atoms often improves the efficacy and selectivity of these compounds, making them more effective at lower concentrations.

Additionally, it can be used in material science for the synthesis of specialty chemicals, such as liquid crystals or polymers, where the unique properties of fluorine atoms are required to achieve specific performance characteristics.