Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, this compound serves in the preparation of cyclic ketone derivatives for pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Its reactive chloro and carbonyl functional groups allow for ring expansion, substitution, and condensation reactions. It is employed in the development of specialty polymers and as a building block in the synthesis of bioactive molecules, including potential drug candidates. Due to its strained ring structure, it also finds use in studies of ring-opening and rearrangement mechanisms.