Used primarily as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of certain antiviral and antibacterial agents. Its structure allows for efficient coupling in peptide-like chains, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building complex molecules. It is also employed in the development of protease inhibitors due to its ability to mimic natural amino acid motifs while providing enhanced metabolic stability. Additionally, it finds use in research settings for labeling and derivatization of biologically active compounds.