Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, this compound serves as a building block for sulfur-containing organic molecules. Its chloro and tert-butylthio groups enable selective functionalization in cross-coupling reactions, making it valuable in the development of crop protection agents. It is also employed in research settings to design complex molecules requiring sterically hindered thioether motifs. The stability imparted by the tert-butyl groups enhances its utility in reaction pathways where decomposition is a concern.