3-Fluoro-2-methylbenzoic acid (CAS number 699-90-1) is derived from methylbenzoic acid, also known as ortho-toluic acid. Acetoxy-methylbenzoic anhydride is synthesized from 3-fluoro-2-methylbenzoic acid, demonstrating antibiotic activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 500–1000 μg/mL. Diarylmethanes, which are novel building blocks for sodium-glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can be obtained from 3-fluoro-2-methylbenzoic acid through Friedel-Crafts acylation, followed by a reduction reaction.
The positioning of the carboxylic acid and fluoride at the meta-position renders 3-fluoro-2-methylbenzoic acid a structural scaffold for bent-core liquid crystals.