Phenyl cyanate is primarily used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of carbamates and ureas through reactions with amines or alcohols. It serves as a reagent in the construction of heterocyclic compounds, which are important in pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Its reactivity with nucleophiles makes it valuable in the development of specialty polymers, such as cyanate ester resins, and functional materials. Additionally, phenyl cyanate derivatives find use in the study of reaction mechanisms involving isocyanate analogs, supporting research in chemical kinetics and catalysis.