Benzyl bromide is widely useful in organic synthesis as a benzyl protecting group for alcohols and carboxylic acids. It is used in the preparation of foaming and frothing agents, quaternary ammonium compounds, peniclins, photographic chemicals, synthetic resins, dyes and plasticizers and esters. It is also involved in the synthesis of (E)-(2-Iodovinyl)benzene by reacting it with diiodomethane.