Tin(II) chloride is widely used as a reducing agent in organic synthesis, for example conversion of quinones into hydroquinones, nitroaromatics into aromatic amines, and in Stephen reduction. It acts as an antisludging agent and a stabilizer. It can be used to reduce certain metal salts into metals, tin plating and in analytical chemistry to test mercury ions. It is also used as a mordant in textile dyeing and as a catalyst in the production of polylactic acid. It is used as a food additive, wherein it serves as an anti-oxidant and a color retention agent. It can be used in the condensation of aryl aldehydes with cyclohexan-1,3-diones to synthesize xanthenes. It catalyzes direct conversion of aldehydes into beta-keto esters.

This Thermo Scientific Chemicals brand product was originally part of the Alfa Aesar product portfolio. Some documentation and label information may refer to the legacy brand. The original Alfa Aesar product / item code or SKU reference has not changed as a part of the brand transition to Thermo Scientific Chemicals.