As a reagent in organic chemistry, DBU is used as a ligand and base. As a base, protonation occurs at the imine nitrogen.  Lewis acids also attach to the same nitrogen.
These properties recommend DBU for use as a catalyst, for example as a curing agent for epoxy resins and polyurethane.
It is used in the separation of fullerenes in conjunction with trimethylbenzene. It reacts with C and higher fullerenes, but not with C.
It is useful for dehydrohalogenations.