1. Pharmaceuticals

• Building Block: 2,4-Difluorobenzonitrile acts as a versatile building block in organic synthesis, allowing chemists to introduce specific fluorine-containing fragments into larger molecules.

2. Agrochemicals

• Building Block for Fluorinated Compounds: 2,4-DFBN is used to introduce fluorinated benzonitrile groups into target molecules, often via nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Fluorine atoms can significantly impact a molecule's properties, enhancing its biological activity, particularly its ability to bind to target enzymes or receptors, or to improve its transport within the plant. 
• Herbicide and Fungicide Synthesis: The unique chemical structure of 2,4-DFBN allows it to be incorporated into the synthesis of both herbicides and fungicides, contributing to their effectiveness in protecting crops.

3. Performance Chemicals

• Building Block for Fluorinated Molecules: 2,4-Difluorobenzonitrile is used to introduce fluorine and benzonitrile functionalities into target molecules. 
• Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution: The para-position to the nitrile group is more reactive in nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions, making it a good site for attaching other molecules.
• Ligand Synthesis: It's used in synthesizing ligands for OLEDs and photoredox catalysts, often by reacting with other molecules through the nitrile group.
• Reaction with Sodium Azide: 2,4-Difluorobenzonitrile reacts with sodium azide to form a fluorinated tetrazole, a five-membered heterocyclic ring.