Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of neuroactive compounds and enzyme inhibitors. Its bromine functionality allows for further chemical modifications through cross-coupling reactions. Commonly employed in research settings for the preparation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogs due to its structural similarity. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis where the chiral amine center serves as a directing group or intermediate in complex molecule construction.