1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-propanol is a solution-phase peptide chemistry solvent. This fluorinated polar solvent of high ionizing power facilitates Friedel–Crafts-type reactions, using covalent reagents in the absence of a Lewis acid catalyst. It also enhances the efficiency of rhodium(I)-catalyzed [4+2] intramolecular cycloaddition of ether-tethered alkynyl dienes and [5+2] cycloaddition of alkynyl vinylcyclopropanes. 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-propanol clusters catalyzes the epoxidation of cyclooctene and 1-octene with hydrogen peroxide.

1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-propanol was used for preparing hexafluoroalcohol-functionalized methacrylate polymers for lithographic/nanopatterning materials.