Phenanthrene-3-carboxylic acid is utilized in organic synthesis as a building block for creating more complex chemical structures. It serves as a precursor in the development of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the synthesis of compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Additionally, it is employed in research to study polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their environmental impact. The compound is also explored in material science for the development of organic semiconductors and fluorescent materials due to its aromatic structure and electronic properties. Its role in analytical chemistry includes being a standard or reference compound in chromatographic analysis for detecting and quantifying PAHs in environmental samples.