Phosphorus(III) chloride is used as a reagent in organic synthesis. It is utilized in the conversion of primary alcohol and secondary alcohol to alkyl chlorides. It acts as a precursor to phosphorous pentachloride, phosphorous oxychloride, thiophosphoryl chloride and triphenylphosphine. It is also used to prepare phosphite esters, which is used Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions.

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