Used in peptide synthesis as a protected amino acid, it helps in the controlled assembly of peptide chains. Its Boc group provides stability during the coupling process and can be easily removed under acidic conditions. The cyano group on the phenylalanine side chain offers unique reactivity for further chemical modifications, making it valuable in the development of bioactive peptides and pharmaceutical compounds. It is also employed in research to study enzyme interactions and protein folding due to its distinct structural properties.