Used primarily in research and specialized chemical synthesis, this compound serves as a precursor for the preparation of other scandium-based materials. It is employed in catalysis, particularly in organic transformations where scandium ions act as Lewis acid catalysts, enhancing reaction rates and selectivity. Its hydrated form is often utilized in educational labs to demonstrate rare earth metal chemistry due to its relative stability and solubility in water. Additionally, it finds use in the development of luminescent materials and in electrochemical applications involving scandium metal deposition.