This compound is primarily utilized in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, particularly in the development of chiral molecules. Its structure, featuring a nitro group and an amino alcohol moiety, makes it valuable for creating enantiomerically pure compounds, which are crucial in drug design and development. It is often employed in the production of beta-blockers, a class of drugs used to manage cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension and arrhythmias. Additionally, it serves as a building block in organic synthesis for constructing complex molecules with specific stereochemistry, which is essential for achieving desired biological activity in medicinal chemistry.