Widely used as a Lewis acid catalyst in organic synthesis, enabling efficient and selective transformations under mild conditions. It is particularly effective in promoting carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions, such as Friedel-Crafts acylations, glycosylations, and Diels-Alder reactions. Its water tolerance and stability make it suitable for reactions in aqueous or moist environments, offering advantages over traditional moisture-sensitive catalysts. Additionally, it can be recovered and reused in some processes, supporting greener chemical synthesis. Its unique catalytic activity also extends to polymerization reactions and the activation of carbonyl compounds in aldol and Mannich-type reactions.