Used in pharmaceutical research as a chiral building block for the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). It is particularly valuable in the development of drugs targeting the central nervous system due to its structural similarity to certain neurotransmitters.

In organic chemistry, it serves as a precursor for the preparation of complex molecules, especially in asymmetric synthesis, where its chiral nature is exploited to induce stereoselectivity in reactions.

Additionally, it is employed in the study of enzyme mechanisms and receptor binding, aiding in the design of more effective and selective therapeutic agents. Its thiophene moiety makes it a useful intermediate in the development of compounds with potential anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial properties.