Used in peptide synthesis as a protected amino acid building block, particularly in the development of pharmaceuticals and bioactive peptides. The Boc (tert-butoxycarbonyl) group provides temporary protection for the amine functionality, allowing selective coupling at the carboxylic acid site. The 2,4-dimethylphenylalanine side chain introduces steric bulk and hydrophobic character, which can enhance peptide stability, influence conformation, and improve binding selectivity in drug design. Commonly applied in research settings for synthesizing analogs of natural peptides or optimizing lead compounds in medicinal chemistry.