Trioctylamine is widely used as a solvent and extractant in various industrial processes. It plays a crucial role in the extraction of metals, particularly in the separation and purification of rare earth elements, uranium, and other valuable metals from ores and waste materials. Its ability to form stable complexes with metal ions makes it highly effective in liquid-liquid extraction processes.

In the pharmaceutical industry, it is utilized as an intermediate in the synthesis of certain drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Its properties as a phase-transfer catalyst also make it valuable in organic synthesis, facilitating reactions between compounds in different phases.

Additionally, trioctylamine is employed in the production of corrosion inhibitors, where it helps protect metal surfaces from degradation in harsh environments. It is also used in the formulation of specialty chemicals, such as surfactants and emulsifiers, which find applications in various industrial and consumer products.