Used primarily in the synthesis of penicillin antibiotics, this compound serves as an intermediate in the production of β-lactam drugs. It plays a key role in forming the side chain of certain semi-synthetic penicillins, contributing to their antimicrobial activity. Its structure allows for easy modification, making it valuable in pharmaceutical research and development for creating analogs with improved stability, potency, or resistance to bacterial enzymes. It is also employed in peptide coupling reactions due to its amide and carboxylic acid functional groups, supporting applications in medicinal chemistry and drug design.