1. Performance Chemicals

• Catalysis: Bismuth chloride acts as a catalyst in reactions like Friedel-Crafts acylation and alkylation, which are fundamental in organic synthesis.  
• Organic Synthesis: It's involved in the synthesis of other bismuth compounds and is used in reactions like the allylation of secondary benzyl alcohols and the preparation of thiiranes from oxiranes. 
• Multicomponent Reactions: Bismuth chloride can catalyze multicomponent reactions, such as the synthesis of hexahydroimidazo[1, 2-a]pyridines, offering a potentially greener approach due to the non-toxicity of bismuth compounds and the avoidance of complex purification steps. 
• Thioenol Ether Synthesis: Bismuth chloride can catalyze the synthesis of thioenol ethers from 1,3-dicarbonyls/2-oxindoles under ultrasonic irradiation.

2. Pharmaceuticals

• Catalyst in Synthesis: Bismuth(III) chloride acts as a Lewis acid catalyst in various organic reactions. This catalytic activity is important in the synthesis of other bismuth compounds, some of which have pharmaceutical applications.

3. Polymers & Resins

• Catalyst in Polymer Reactions: Bismuth chloride acts as a Lewis acid catalyst, meaning it can accept an electron pair to facilitate various chemical reactions involving polymers. Examples include acetolysis, hydrolysis, and alcoholysis, which are crucial in modifying polymer structures and properties.
• Flame Retardancy: Bismuth compounds, including Bismuth chloride, can enhance the flame retardancy of polymers when combined with other flame retardants like chloroparaffins. The flame retardant effect is not solely attributed to the formation of Bismuth chloride or bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) when heated, but rather requires their presence alongside the chloroparaffin. This synergistic effect can significantly improve the fire safety of polymers, such as polypropylene.

4. Metal Treatment

• Alloy Creation:  Bismuth chloride is a key ingredient in the production of bismuth-based alloys, which are used in specialized industrial components. These alloys often have unique properties, such as low melting points, making them useful in applications like fire detectors, electric fuses, and solders. 
• Catalysis: Bismuth chloride acts as a catalyst in various chemical reactions, including acetolysis, hydrolysis, and alcoholysis, which are relevant in metal processing. Catalysts enhance reaction rates and improve the efficiency of metal treatment processes.