Used as a key reagent in organic synthesis, particularly for the protection of hydroxyl groups in carbohydrate and nucleoside chemistry. Its main application lies in the selective tritylation of alcohols, where it offers mild reaction conditions and high yields. Due to the imidazole moiety, it acts as a good leaving group, facilitating efficient trityl transfer under acidic or neutral conditions. It is preferred in solid-phase synthesis and pharmaceutical intermediates where precise functional group manipulation is required. Also employed in the preparation of protected building blocks for oligonucleotide synthesis.