(R)-3-(2-(3-Bromo-4-fluorophenyl)acetyl)-5-methyl-5-phenethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione, is synthesized from 3-bromo-4-fluorophenylacetic acid, D-phenylglycinol and pyruvic acid ethyl ester. 3-Bromo-4-fluorophenylacetic acid is usedas a reagent in the preparation of 4-oxo-1,4-dihydripyridine-3-carboxamide derivatives as inhibitors of Axl tyrosine kinase and anticancer agents.