Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors and other biologically active compounds. Its structure provides a chiral scaffold with functional groups that can be selectively modified, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for constructing complex molecules. The Boc-protected amine and hydroxyl groups allow for stepwise coupling and deprotection strategies in peptide-like synthesis. Commonly employed in research settings for designing drug candidates targeting viral infections and metabolic disorders.