3-Chlorohexane is a secondary alkyl chloride primarily used in organic synthesis as a reagent and intermediate for preparing more complex organic molecules. In laboratory research, it serves as a model compound to investigate substitution (SN1/SN2) and elimination (E1/E2) reaction mechanisms due to its secondary carbon structure. It may also find niche applications in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, or as a building block in specialized organic transformations, though it is not a common industrial commodity.