Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors and other bioactive molecules. The tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc)-protected amino group provides selective protection during synthesis, while its hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional groups allow for further derivatization, making it valuable in peptide mimetics and drug design. Commonly employed in asymmetric synthesis to introduce stereocenters, especially the (R)-configuration, it helps optimize the metabolic stability and binding affinity of drug candidates. Widely utilized in research and development for creating intermediates in the production of antiviral and anticancer agents.