Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of fluorinated pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Its high reactivity due to the electron-withdrawing halogen groups makes it valuable in introducing trifluoromethyl ketone functionalities into organic molecules. It serves in the preparation of specialty fluorinated building blocks for drug development, particularly in creating protease inhibitors and other bioactive compounds. Due to its volatility and reactivity, it is handled under controlled conditions in industrial and research settings. Limited use in materials science for modifying polymer properties through fluorination.