2-(3-Chlorophenyl)propanoic acid is an organic compound featuring a phenyl ring substituted with a chlorine atom at the meta position and a propanoic acid side chain. It is a white to off-white crystalline powder. This compound is a versatile chiral building block, with the racemic form being commonly used in synthesis. Its primary application is as a key pharmaceutical intermediate. It serves as a crucial precursor in the synthesis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), most notably for the production of Ketoprofen, a widely used analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. The structure allows for further chemical modifications to introduce the necessary ketone functionality and chiral center required for the active drug. As a substituted phenylpropionic acid derivative, it is a common motif in medicinal chemistry. Beyond its specific use in Ketoprofen synthesis, it represents a valuable synthetic intermediate for exploring other bioactive molecules with similar arylpropionic acid scaffolds.