Used in the synthesis of organic compounds, particularly in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, due to its ability to introduce the 3,4-difluorophenyl group into molecules. It serves as a building block in the development of drugs targeting central nervous system disorders, as the fluorine atoms enhance binding affinity and metabolic stability. Additionally, it is employed in the production of specialty chemicals and materials, such as liquid crystals and polymers, where the thiol group facilitates cross-linking or functionalization. Its unique structure also makes it valuable in research for studying enzyme inhibition and receptor interactions.