Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of certain pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors and other biologically active compounds. Its chiral center and functional groups make it valuable in asymmetric synthesis and drug design, where stereochemistry plays a critical role in biological activity. Commonly employed in the preparation of peptide mimetics and enzyme inhibitors, especially those targeting serine proteases. Also utilized in medicinal chemistry research for structure-activity relationship studies due to its aromatic and amino acid-like features.