(S)-1-(o-Tolyl)ethanamine finds its primary application in the pharmaceutical and chemical synthesis industries. It serves as a key chiral building block in the production of various active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and intermediates. Its enantiomeric purity is particularly valuable in the development of drugs that require specific stereochemistry for optimal efficacy, such as certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, and other CNS-targeting medications. Additionally, it is utilized in asymmetric synthesis to create complex molecules with high enantioselectivity. The compound is also employed in research and development for designing and testing new therapeutic agents, contributing to advancements in medicinal chemistry.