Cyclobutane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid is primarily used in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical research. It serves as a key intermediate in the production of various bioactive compounds and complex molecules. Its rigid cyclobutane ring structure makes it valuable for designing and synthesizing molecules with specific conformational properties, which is crucial in drug development. Additionally, it is employed in the study of ring strain and its effects on chemical reactivity, aiding in the development of new synthetic methodologies. The compound is also explored in material science for creating polymers with unique mechanical and thermal properties.