Used in pharmaceutical synthesis as a chiral building block for producing beta-hydroxy esters and other fine chemicals. Serves as a precursor in the manufacture of certain antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents. Employed in research settings to study metabolic pathways, particularly related to mitochondrial function and oxidative stress. Also utilized in the development of biodegradable polymers and as an additive in cell culture media to support specific microbial or mammalian cell growth under controlled conditions.