Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of bioactive molecules and peptidomimetics. Its protected amine and ester functionalities allow for selective transformations, making it valuable in multi-step organic syntheses. The (R)-configuration enables stereoselective reactions, important for creating enantiomerically pure drugs. Commonly employed in the preparation of protease inhibitors and other therapeutic agents where stereochemistry impacts biological activity.