Used primarily as a synthetic intermediate in the pharmaceutical industry, this compound plays a key role in the development of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogs. It serves as a building block for drugs targeting neurological disorders such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and anxiety. Its structure allows for modification into active pharmaceutical ingredients that modulate neurotransmitter activity. Additionally, it is employed in research settings to explore new bioactive molecules and structure-activity relationships in central nervous system therapies.