4-(Trifluoromethyl)-DL-Phenylalanine is primarily used in biochemical research and pharmaceutical development. It serves as a key intermediate in the synthesis of various compounds, particularly in the creation of peptide-based drugs. Its trifluoromethyl group enhances the metabolic stability and bioavailability of these drugs, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry. Additionally, it is utilized in studies exploring enzyme inhibition and receptor binding, aiding in the understanding of biological pathways and the development of targeted therapies. Its unique properties also make it useful in the design of fluorinated amino acids for protein engineering and structural studies.