Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents and antidepressant drugs. Its chiral structure makes it valuable in asymmetric synthesis for producing enantiomerically pure compounds. Also employed in the preparation of bioactive molecules and receptor ligands due to the presence of both amine and hydroxyl functional groups, which allow for diverse chemical modifications. Commonly utilized in research settings for designing novel therapeutic agents targeting neurological disorders.