Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of certain pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of antiepileptic and anticonvulsant drugs. It serves as a building block for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogs, which modulate neurotransmitter activity in the central nervous system. Its structural properties allow for effective blood-brain barrier penetration, making it valuable in neuropharmacology. Also employed in research for developing compounds with muscle relaxant and anxiolytic effects.