Used primarily as a chemical intermediate in organic synthesis, especially in the production of specialty polymers and fine chemicals. Its strained epoxide ring allows ring-opening reactions, making it valuable in creating chiral compounds for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. It also serves as a building block in synthesizing surfactants and functionalized materials where stereochemistry plays a critical role. Due to its reactivity, it is employed in controlled reactions to introduce oxygen-containing functional groups into larger molecules.