Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of β-blockers and other cardiovascular drugs. Its stereochemistry allows for selective interactions in asymmetric synthesis, making it valuable in developing enantiomerically pure compounds. Also employed in the preparation of intermediates for anti-hypertensive agents and in the research of enzyme inhibitors. The presence of both chlorine and hydroxyl functional groups enables diverse chemical transformations, facilitating its use in multi-step organic syntheses.