Used in the synthesis of biologically active compounds, particularly as a chiral building block in pharmaceutical development. Its trifluoromethyl group enhances metabolic stability and membrane permeability, making it valuable in designing protease inhibitors and other therapeutic agents. Commonly employed in the preparation of peptide mimetics due to its amide and amino functionalities, which allow for selective coupling reactions. Also utilized in medicinal chemistry research for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies, especially in CNS-targeted drugs where fluorination improves blood-brain barrier penetration.