Boron trifluoride is a colourless gas which readily reacts with water to form hydrates. It has been widely used as a catalyst for polymerizations, alkylations and condensation reactions. It also finds application in being used as gas flux for internal soldering or brazing. It also has its uses in extinguisher for magnesium fires.

It was used in transmethylation of 1,2-Diacylglycerol (DAG) containing fractions which were purified using HPLC. It may be used to treat lipids during determination of fatty acid methyl esters and dimethylacetals using GC.