Used as a key chiral intermediate in the synthesis of antidiabetic drugs, particularly DPP-4 inhibitors like sitagliptin. Its stereochemistry enables high selectivity and potency in pharmaceutical formulations. Commonly employed in asymmetric synthesis to introduce the 2,4-difluorophenyl moiety with an amino acid functionality, enhancing metabolic stability and binding affinity to target enzymes. Also utilized in research for developing new bioactive molecules due to its structural similarity to natural amino acids.