Used primarily as a reagent in organic synthesis, especially in bromination reactions where selective introduction of bromine atoms is required. It serves as a source of bromine in the preparation of other brominated compounds, which are often intermediates in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and flame retardants. Its high reactivity makes it useful in the formation of carbon-halogen bonds under controlled conditions. Due to its lachrymatory and corrosive nature, it is handled with care in well-ventilated systems for specialized laboratory-scale transformations.