Colorless transparent liquid, flammable, with a strong pungent odor. It has tear jerking properties. The relative density is 1.1002. Melting point -39.2 ℃. Boiling point 179.4 ℃. The refractive index is 1.5392. Form an explosive mixture with air, with an explosive limit of 1.1-6-14% by volume. Soluble in organic solvents such as ether, alcohol, chloroform, etc., insoluble in water, but can evaporate together with water vapor.

Benzyl chloride is mainly used in the production of plasticizers, synthetic aromatic compounds, benzylpenicillin, pesticides such as rice blast cleaner, and triphenylmethane dyes.