Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, this compound serves in the preparation of functionalized organosilanes for surface modification of materials like glass and polymers. It is also employed in the synthesis of specialty thiols through deprotection, where the thiolacetate group is hydrolyzed under mild conditions to release the free thiol. Its chloro and sulfur-containing functionality allows for sequential reactions, making it useful in the development of ligands, catalysts, and custom molecules in pharmaceutical and agrochemical research. Additionally, it finds use in polymer chemistry to introduce reactive side chains for crosslinking or further chemical modification.