This compound is primarily used in the pharmaceutical industry as an intermediate in the synthesis of complex molecules, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Its chiral structure makes it valuable for creating enantiomerically pure drugs, which are crucial for ensuring the desired therapeutic effects and minimizing side effects. It is often employed in peptide synthesis and as a building block for designing protease inhibitors, which are important in treating diseases like HIV and hepatitis C. Additionally, its tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) protecting group allows for selective reactions in multi-step organic synthesis, making it a versatile tool in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.