Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Its structure allows for further functionalization, making it valuable in building complex organic molecules. The presence of both chloromethyl and nitro groups enables sequential reactions, such as nucleophilic substitution and reduction, which are useful in creating active ingredients in crop protection agents and medicinal compounds. It is also employed in the preparation of fluorinated aromatic compounds, where the fluorine atom enhances metabolic stability in drug design.