α,α,α-Trifluorotoluene (TFT) is a potential substitute solvent for reactions carried out in dichloromethane and related solvents. It is also applicable in fluorous synthesis as an organic/fluorous hybrid solvent. TFT undergoes photocycloaddition with cyclopentene to form cyano-substituted tetracyclo[6.3.0.0^2,11.0^3,7]undec-9-enes. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data of TFT has been reported. The bimolecular rate constants of the aqueous phase reactions between sulfate and phosphate radicals with TFT have been determined by conventional flash-photolysis.

α,α,α-Trifluorotoluene may be used as an internal standard for ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopic determination of copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of alkenes.