Used primarily in biochemical research, 3,4-Difluoro-DL-phenylalanine serves as a valuable tool in studying enzyme mechanisms, particularly those involving phenylalanine hydroxylase. It is also employed in the development of enzyme inhibitors, aiding in the exploration of metabolic pathways and potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, this compound finds application in the synthesis of fluorinated amino acid analogs, which are crucial for probing protein structure and function, as well as in the design of novel pharmaceuticals. Its incorporation into peptides and proteins can help investigate the effects of fluorination on biological activity and stability.