Used in peptide synthesis as a protected chiral building block, particularly in the preparation of bioactive molecules and pharmaceutical intermediates. Its Boc-protected amine and carboxylic acid functionality allow for selective coupling reactions, while the dimethylamino group can act as a directing group or be further modified to introduce structural diversity. Commonly employed in the development of enzyme inhibitors and peptidomimetic drugs due to its structural features that mimic natural amino acids.