Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors and other bioactive molecules. Its stereocenter and functional groups allow for selective transformations in peptide-like structures. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for constructing intermediates in drug discovery, especially in central nervous system agents and enzyme inhibitors. The Boc-protected amine and carboxylic acid enable stepwise coupling in solid-phase or solution-phase peptide synthesis. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis routes where retention of chirality is critical.