Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, particularly in the production of herbicides and fungicides. It serves as a building block in organic reactions where chlorinated aromatic compounds are needed to introduce specific functional groups. Its reactivity allows for further substitution on the aromatic ring or modification of the chloroethyl side chain, making it valuable in the development of active ingredients in crop protection agents. Also employed in research settings for designing complex molecules requiring chlorinated benzene derivatives.