This compound is primarily used in peptide synthesis as a protecting group for amino acids. The fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) group protects the amino group during the synthesis process, ensuring that the reaction occurs at the desired site. The 2-nitrophenyl group can provide additional stability or specific reactivity under certain conditions. This chemical is particularly valuable in solid-phase peptide synthesis, where it helps in the stepwise construction of peptides by allowing selective deprotection and coupling of amino acids. Its application is crucial in the production of complex peptides for pharmaceutical research, drug development, and biochemical studies.