Widely used as a Lewis acid catalyst in organic synthesis, enabling a variety of transformations under mild conditions. It is particularly effective in promoting carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond formations. Common applications include Friedel-Crafts acylations, Diels-Alder reactions, and Mukaiyama aldol reactions, where it offers high yields and selectivity. Its water tolerance makes it suitable for reactions in aqueous or moist environments, unlike many traditional Lewis acids. Also employed in the activation of carbonyl compounds and in polymerization reactions. Due to its stability and reusability, it is favored in green chemistry initiatives and industrial processes where efficient and environmentally friendly catalysis is required.