Heptafluorobutyric acid is widely used as an ion-pairing agent in liquid chromatography, particularly for the separation and analysis of peptides, proteins, and other biomolecules. Its strong ion-pairing properties enhance the retention and resolution of polar compounds in reversed-phase chromatography. Additionally, it is employed in mass spectrometry as a volatile acid to improve the detection sensitivity of analytes. In organic synthesis, it serves as a catalyst or reagent in various reactions, including esterifications and acylations. Its unique properties also make it useful in the preparation of fluorinated compounds and as a solvent in specialized chemical processes.