The potential energy and unique bonding structure contained in the bonds of molecules with ring strain can be used to drive reactions in organic synthesis. Examples of such reactions are ring opening metathesis polymerisation, photo-induced ring opening of cyclobutenes, and nucleophilic ring-opening of epoxides and aziridines.
Increased potential energy from ring strain also can be used to increase the energy released by explosives or increase their shock sensitivity. For example, the shock sensitivity of the explosive 1,3,3-Trinitroazetidine could partially or primarily explained by its ring strain.