Used as a source of fluoride ions in organic synthesis, particularly for deprotection of silyl ethers in pharmaceutical and fine chemical manufacturing. Commonly employed in nucleophilic substitution reactions due to its solubility in organic solvents. Facilitates carbon-fluorine bond formation in the preparation of fluorinated compounds. Also applied in analytical chemistry for cleaving silicon-based protecting groups during sample preparation. Its anhydrous form is preferred in moisture-sensitive reactions to avoid side reactions.