Acetyl-4-chloro-D-phenylalanine is primarily utilized in research and development within the field of biochemistry and pharmacology. It serves as a key intermediate in the synthesis of more complex compounds, particularly those targeting enzyme inhibition or receptor modulation. Its application extends to the study of amino acid metabolism and the development of therapeutic agents, where its structural properties are exploited to create analogs with specific biological activities. Additionally, it is employed in the investigation of peptide-based drug design, contributing to advancements in treatments for metabolic disorders and other health conditions.