Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) requiring high enantiomeric purity. Its nitrile and ether functional groups allow for versatile chemical transformations, making it valuable in creating complex organic molecules. Commonly employed in the production of neuroactive drugs and enzyme inhibitors where stereochemistry plays a critical role in biological activity. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis routes due to its stable chiral center and compatibility with various reaction conditions.