Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. Its rigid cyclohexyl backbone with functional groups in trans configuration makes it valuable for designing drugs with specific stereochemical requirements. It is also employed in the preparation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other neurologically active compounds. Additionally, it serves as a building block in medicinal chemistry for optimizing molecular conformation to enhance binding affinity and metabolic stability.