Used in pharmaceutical research as a chiral building block for synthesizing bioactive molecules, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. Its structural motif is relevant to neurotransmitter analogs, especially those targeting dopamine and norepinephrine pathways. Commonly employed in the preparation of enzyme inhibitors and receptor ligands due to the halogenated aromatic group and amino acid functionality. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis to introduce stereochemical control in drug candidates.