Di-p-chlorobenzyl azodicarboxylate (DCAD) is primarily utilized as a reagent in the Mitsunobu reaction, enabling the stereospecific conversion of alcohols into esters, azides, amines, and other derivatives with inversion of configuration. This makes it invaluable in organic synthesis, especially within the pharmaceutical industry for constructing complex molecular structures during drug development and production. Additionally, as an azo compound, it can decompose to release nitrogen gas, serving as a blowing agent in the manufacture of polymer foams such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polypropylene (EPP), contributing to lightweight materials used in packaging, automotive, and insulation applications. It also finds use as an intermediate in fine chemical synthesis and in enhancing crosslinking in certain elastomers.