Used primarily as an alkylating agent in organic synthesis, enabling the introduction of bromoacetyl groups to various nucleophiles such as amines, thiols, and alcohols. It plays a key role in the preparation of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty intermediates due to its reactivity in carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond formation. Commonly employed in the synthesis of beta-substituted esters and in the modification of biomolecules for research purposes. Requires careful handling due to its lachrymatory and corrosive properties.