Used as a chiral building block in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of enantiomerically pure pharmaceuticals and bioactive molecules. Its reactivity allows for selective transformations, such as nucleophilic substitution or cyclization reactions, making it valuable in the synthesis of beta-amino alcohols and other intermediates. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for the development of protease inhibitors and antimicrobial agents. Also serves as a precursor in the preparation of optically active heterocyclic compounds.