Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of beta-lactam antibiotics. It serves as an intermediate in creating structurally complex molecules where stereochemistry plays a critical role in biological activity. Its amine (as hydrochloride salt) and carboxylic acid functionalities can be selectively protected for peptide coupling and other reactions in medicinal chemistry. Also employed in the preparation of enzyme inhibitors and bioactive compounds requiring a sterically hindered amino acid scaffold.