Used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogs and pharmaceutical compounds targeting the central nervous system. It serves as a building block in the development of nootropic agents and anticonvulsant drugs. Also employed in the synthesis of peptides and modified amino acids for research purposes. Its functional groups allow for easy derivatization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship studies.