Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with specific enantiomeric properties. It plays a key role in creating compounds for treating central nervous system disorders, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics. Its trifluoromethyl group enhances the metabolic stability and bioavailability of the final drug molecules. Additionally, it is employed in asymmetric synthesis to produce optically pure intermediates for agrochemicals and fine chemicals.