Used in organic synthesis as a key intermediate for pharmaceuticals, particularly in the preparation of centrally acting sympathomimetic agents. It serves as a building block in the development of drugs affecting the central nervous system, including certain antidepressants and cognitive enhancers. Its structure allows for easy functionalization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for designing compounds that cross the blood-brain barrier. Also employed in research settings to study neurotransmitter analogs and their biological activity.