Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of biologically active compounds, particularly in pharmaceutical research. Its trimethylsilyl group enhances lipophilicity, aiding in membrane permeability, making it valuable in the development of peptidomimetics and enzyme inhibitors. Commonly employed in asymmetric synthesis to introduce stereoselectivity. Also utilized in the preparation of silylated amino acid derivatives for use in prodrugs and in the study of metabolic pathways.