Phosphorus oxychloride is an important chemical raw material. It is a colorless and transparent fuming liquid. It is widely used in the production of pesticides, medicines, dyes, phosphate esters and flame retardants. It is also used in the production of plastic plasticizers, as well as in the chlorination of long-acting sulfa drugs, as an intermediate for the production of dyes, as a chlorinating agent and catalyst for organic synthesis, and as an extractant for uranium ore.