(S)-(-)-2-Amino-4-pentenoic acid is primarily utilized in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical research. It serves as a key intermediate in the production of various biologically active compounds, including peptides and enzyme inhibitors. Its unique structure allows it to participate in reactions that form carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen bonds, making it valuable in the development of new drugs. Additionally, it is employed in the study of metabolic pathways and as a building block for the synthesis of chiral molecules, which are crucial in the creation of enantiomerically pure pharmaceuticals. Its application extends to biochemical research, where it is used to investigate amino acid metabolism and enzyme mechanisms.