Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of biologically active molecules that require a constrained cyclobutane scaffold. The tert-butyl carbamate group serves as a protected amine, allowing selective functionalization in multi-step reactions. The trans-hydroxyl group enables further derivatization, such as esterification or ether formation, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for optimizing drug potency, solubility, and metabolic stability. Commonly employed in the preparation of enzyme inhibitors and receptor modulators.