Used in pharmaceutical synthesis as an intermediate for developing bioactive compounds, particularly in the production of drugs targeting central nervous system disorders and antimicrobial agents. Its structure supports the development of molecules with receptor-binding capabilities, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry research. Also employed in the design of enzyme inhibitors due to its ability to mimic natural substrates in metabolic pathways.

Additionally, in biochemical research on proteins and peptides, it serves as a linker molecule or activator for fluorescence in biological detection systems, owing to its amino and carboxylic acid groups that facilitate further reactions.