Used primarily as a building block in organic synthesis, especially in the pharmaceutical industry for creating fluorinated compounds that exhibit enhanced metabolic stability and bioavailability. It serves as an intermediate in the production of certain anesthetics and cardiovascular drugs. Also employed in the synthesis of specialty polymers and surfactants where the fluorine atom imparts unique solubility and thermal properties. Due to its reactivity and toxicity, handling requires strict safety controls, limiting its use to controlled industrial and research environments.