Used primarily as a chiral derivatizing agent in analytical chemistry, this compound enables the separation and detection of enantiomers, especially in amino acid analysis. Its strong chromophoric and fluorogenic properties allow for high-sensitivity detection via UV or fluorescence spectroscopy. Commonly applied in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), it reacts with amines and amino acids to form stable diastereomeric derivatives, facilitating the discrimination of D- and L-enantiomers. Due to the presence of electron-withdrawing nitro groups and fluorine, it enhances electrophilicity and reactivity toward nucleophiles, making it suitable for labeling and tagging in biochemical assays. Its D-leucine backbone provides stereochemical specificity, useful in studies involving stereoselective reactions or metabolic pathways.