3,4-Dichloro-6-nitrotoluene is used as a reagent in the synthesis of N-hydroxyindole-2-carboxylates as inhibitors of lactate dehydrogenase against cancer cell proliferation. 3,4-Dichloro-6-nitrotoluene is also used in the preparation of polyhalogenated quinoline C-nucleosides as potential antiviral agents.This compound is suitable for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) related research.