Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the production of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Its reactivity allows for the introduction of chlorine atoms at specific positions, enabling further functionalization in multi-step reactions. It serves in the preparation of heterocyclic compounds and can act as a building block for polymers and specialty chemicals requiring bifunctional reactivity. Due to the spacing between chlorine atoms, it is also employed in the synthesis of chelating agents and ligands for metal coordination.