The chemical is primarily used in pharmaceutical research and development as a chiral building block for the synthesis of various active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Its chiral nature makes it valuable in creating enantiomerically pure compounds, which are crucial for developing drugs with specific biological activity and reduced side effects. It is also employed in organic synthesis for the preparation of complex molecules, particularly in the field of medicinal chemistry. Additionally, it finds application in the study of biochemical pathways and enzyme interactions due to its structural similarity to natural amino alcohols. Its hydrochloride form enhances solubility, making it suitable for use in aqueous-based reactions and formulations.