Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. It serves as a building block in the production of certain analgesics and antitussive drugs due to its structural similarity to active pharmacophores. Its benzyl and methylphenyl groups facilitate selective binding in receptor studies, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry research. Also employed in the preparation of chiral amines through asymmetric synthesis, supporting the creation of enantiomerically pure therapeutics.