Used primarily in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, this compound serves as a chiral building block for drugs targeting central nervous system disorders. Its structural features make it valuable in the development of antidepressants and anti-Parkinson agents. The presence of both amine and carboxylic acid functional groups allows for peptide coupling and salt formation, enhancing its utility in drug design. It is also employed in asymmetric synthesis to introduce stereoselective centers in complex molecules.