Used as a resolving agent for chiral amines and cations in organic synthesis. It catalyzes reactions like protection of hydroxyl groups and transglucosidation.

Serves as an acid catalyst in pharmaceuticals (e.g. trimetaphan camsilate synthesis) and optical resolution due to its chirality despite being racemic.

It appears as a white to off-white crystalline powder with the formula CHOS and molecular weight 232.3. It is soluble in water with a density around 1.3 gcm.