In chlorination of organic substances, as an intermediate, and in the production of pure metalTantalum(V) chloride is used in the preparation of catalyst for the polycyclotrimerizations of alkenediynes, chloro-aryloxide compounds and for the plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of tantalum nitride films. It acts as a starting material for new edge-bridged octahedral M₆ cluster compounds. It is involved in the preparation of tantalum(V) oxychloride, tantalum pentoxide. It is electrophilic and behaves like a Friedel-Crafts type catalyst, similar to aluminum(III) chloride.

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