β-Alanine methyl ester hydrochloride is primarily used in organic synthesis as a building block for the preparation of more complex molecules. It serves as an intermediate in the production of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of drugs targeting the central nervous system. The compound is also utilized in peptide synthesis, where it helps in creating specific peptide sequences for research and therapeutic purposes. Additionally, it finds application in the study of enzyme mechanisms and biochemical pathways due to its structural similarity to naturally occurring amino acids. Its ester group makes it a useful precursor for further chemical modifications, enhancing its versatility in various chemical reactions.