Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. Its trifluoromethyl group enhances metabolic stability and lipophilicity, making it valuable in drug design for improving bioavailability and binding affinity. Commonly employed in asymmetric synthesis to introduce chirality in active pharmaceutical ingredients. Also utilized in the preparation of enzyme inhibitors and receptor modulators due to its structural rigidity and electronic properties.