This colourless viscous liquid is commonly used in the synthesis of organophosphines.

It may be prepared by an electrophilic substitution of benzene by phosphorus trichloride, catalyzed by aluminium chloride.

[2] The compound is an intermediate for the synthesis of other chemicals for instance dimethylphenylphosphine: Many tertiary phosphines can be prepared by this route.

[3] In the McCormack reaction dichlorophenylphosphine adds dienes to give the chlorophospholenium ring.

[4] Reductive coupling of the dichlorophosphine gives the cyclophosphine (PhP)5.