Used as a silylating agent in organic synthesis to protect hydroxyl and carboxyl groups during multi-step reactions. Its small size and volatility make it suitable for derivatizing polar compounds prior to gas chromatography (GC) analysis, improving their thermal stability and detectability. Commonly employed in analytical chemistry for sample preparation of biological and environmental samples. Also serves as a reagent in the synthesis of silicon-based materials and in surface modification of silica to reduce polarity.