This compound is primarily utilized in the pharmaceutical industry as an intermediate in the synthesis of various active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Its structure is particularly valuable in the development of antihistamines and other therapeutic agents targeting the central nervous system. Additionally, it finds application in organic synthesis, where it serves as a building block for more complex molecules, especially those requiring the incorporation of a chloropropanol moiety. Its benzhydryl group is often leveraged to enhance the lipophilicity and bioavailability of the resulting compounds, making it a key component in drug design and development processes.