Catalyzes the activation of phenylacetic acid (PA) to phenylacetyl-CoA (PA-CoA). Involved in the phenylalanine metabolism. 2-phenylacetate + ATP + CoA = AMP + diphosphate + phenylacetyl-CoA Inhibition of activity is observed in the presence of a 1 mM of the divalent cations zinc, copper, and nickel. Optimum pH is between 8 and 8.5, with a dramatic drop of activity (55%) at pH 9. Less than 10% activity is observed a pH 6, and half the maximal activity is measured at pH 7. Optimum temperature is 37 degrees Celsius. The enzyme is extremely labile, and the activity is totally lost within 48 h at 4 degrees Celsius. Aromatic compound metabolism; phenylacetate degradation. Monomer. Induced by phenylacetate, phenylacetaldehyde, 3-hydroxyphenylacetate, phenylalanine, phenylbutyric acid, DL-phenyllactate, phenylpyruvate, or 4-phenylbutyrate. Belongs to the phenylacetyl-CoA ligase family.