This compound, known as methionine methyl ester hydrochloride, is primarily utilized as a protected form of the amino acid methionine in organic synthesis, particularly for the preparation of peptide-based therapeutics and pharmaceutical intermediates. Its ester functionality allows for selective reactions in multi-step syntheses targeting drugs for metabolic and neurological disorders. It serves as a valuable precursor for compounds mimicking natural sulfur-containing amino acids, aiding in enzyme inhibition studies related to methionine metabolism. In agricultural chemistry, derivatives or analogs derived from it are used in plant growth regulators and pesticides, exploiting the sulfur moiety for enhanced bioactivity. As a specialty chemical, it is employed in fine chemical production and research applications requiring high-purity amino acid derivatives.