Used as a building block in organic synthesis, particularly in the development of pharmaceuticals and biologically active compounds. It serves as a precursor or intermediate in the preparation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogs, which are important in neuroscience and drug design for treating neurological disorders. Its structure allows for functionalization at both the amine and carboxylic acid groups, making it valuable in creating peptidomimetics and other specialized molecules for research and therapeutic applications.