Used as a silylating agent in organic synthesis, particularly for the protection of hydroxyl and amino groups during multi-step reactions. Its steric bulk makes it selective for less hindered functional groups, improving reaction specificity. Commonly employed in the preparation of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals where controlled reactivity is essential. Also serves as a derivatizing agent in analytical chemistry, enhancing volatility and thermal stability of polar compounds for gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis.