This chemical is primarily utilized in the synthesis of complex organic molecules, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. It serves as a key intermediate in the production of various therapeutic agents, including enzyme inhibitors and receptor modulators. Its structure, featuring a tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) protecting group and a methylthio moiety, makes it valuable in peptide synthesis and medicinal chemistry. The Boc group allows for selective deprotection during multi-step reactions, while the methylthio group can participate in further functionalization. It is often employed in the development of drugs targeting neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, and cancer. Additionally, its chiral nature makes it useful in the preparation of enantiomerically pure compounds, which are critical for achieving specific biological activities.