Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, especially in the production of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. It serves as a building block for introducing chlorinated ethyl groups into more complex molecules. Due to the reactivity of the chlorine atoms, it participates in substitution and elimination reactions, making it valuable in the development of specialty chemicals. It may also be employed in the synthesis of polymers or as a reagent in laboratory research for constructing carbon-chain-extended aromatic compounds.