PTSC is widely used as a reagent in organic synthesis, particularly for the protection of amines. It reacts with amines to form tosylamides, which are stable intermediates that can be further manipulated in chemical reactions. This property makes it valuable in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, where selective protection and deprotection of functional groups are crucial.

In peptide chemistry, PTSC is employed to modify amino acids, enabling the creation of complex peptide structures. It also serves as a sulfonating agent, introducing sulfonyl groups into organic molecules, which is useful in the production of dyes, surfactants, and other specialty chemicals.

Additionally, PTSC is utilized in the preparation of sulfonamides, a class of compounds with significant antibacterial properties. This application is particularly important in the development of new antibiotics and other medicinal agents. Its role in cross-coupling reactions further highlights its importance in constructing carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds, essential in advanced organic synthesis.