Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors and other biologically active compounds. It serves as a chiral building block in asymmetric synthesis, enabling the construction of complex peptide-like structures. Its benzoyl and ester functionalities make it suitable for selective protection and activation strategies in organic synthesis, especially in the preparation of enzyme substrates and inhibitors. Also employed in research settings for studying enzyme mechanisms, such as those involving serine proteases.