3-phenethylbenzoic acid is primarily utilized in organic synthesis as an intermediate for the production of various pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Its structure allows it to serve as a building block in the development of compounds with potential therapeutic properties, such as anti-inflammatory or analgesic agents. Additionally, it is employed in research settings for the study of chemical reactions and the development of new synthetic methodologies. Its applications also extend to the field of material science, where it can be used in the synthesis of polymers or coatings with specific functional properties.