This compound is a phosphonium salt primarily utilized in organic synthesis via the Wittig reaction. It serves as a key reagent for generating phosphorus ylides, which react with aldehydes or ketones to form alkenes, enabling the construction of carbon-carbon double bonds. This is particularly valuable for synthesizing complex organic molecules, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and fine chemicals, where the 1-naphthylmethyl moiety introduces specific structural features. Its applications extend to the preparation of styrenes, dienes, and other unsaturated compounds essential in materials science and polymer chemistry.