This chemical is primarily utilized in organic synthesis, particularly as an intermediate in the production of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Its structure, featuring a bromophenyl group and a hydroxypropanoic acid moiety, makes it a valuable building block for constructing more complex molecules. It is often employed in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where the bromine atom can facilitate further functionalization through coupling reactions. Additionally, its hydroxy acid group allows for modifications that are crucial in designing compounds with specific biological activities. It may also find use in research settings for studying reaction mechanisms or developing new synthetic methodologies.