Phenylboronic acid is widely used in organic synthesis, particularly in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions, which are key for forming carbon-carbon bonds in pharmaceutical and agrochemical manufacturing. It serves as a building block for creating biaryl compounds, commonly found in drugs and functional materials.

It is also employed in the development of sensors and molecular recognition systems due to its ability to bind diols reversibly. This property makes it useful in glucose sensing applications, including research toward continuous glucose monitors for diabetes management.

In medicinal chemistry, phenylboronic acid is incorporated into protease inhibitors and targeted therapies, such as the anticancer drug bortezomib, where the boronic acid group plays a critical role in binding to biological targets.

Additionally, it is used in materials science for modifying polymers and designing responsive hydrogels that react to changes in pH or sugar concentration. Its versatility in both covalent and non-covalent interactions supports applications across drug discovery, diagnostics, and smart materials.