Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antibiotics and antiviral agents. It serves as a building block for peptide-like structures due to its amino acid nature and functional groups that allow for selective modifications. Its zwitterionic characteristics and solubility profile make it suitable for use in aqueous reaction systems. Also employed in the preparation of chiral catalysts and ligands for asymmetric synthesis. Additionally, finds application in research settings for studying amino acid transport and metabolism mechanisms.