Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of β-lactam antibiotics, particularly in the production of carbapenem-class antibiotics which exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Its chiral azetidinone core serves as a key building block for constructing the four-membered ring essential for antibiotic efficacy. The benzyl and methyl groups help stabilize the intermediate during multi-step syntheses and can be selectively removed or modified in later stages. Commonly employed in pharmaceutical research and development for creating novel antimicrobial agents with improved resistance profiles.