Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that require specific stereochemistry. It serves as an intermediate in the preparation of compounds with potential therapeutic applications, such as antiviral or anticancer agents. Additionally, it is employed in organic synthesis to introduce the tert-butyl ester group, which can act as a protecting group for carboxylic acids during complex chemical reactions. Its (S)-configuration makes it valuable in asymmetric synthesis, where enantioselectivity is crucial for achieving desired biological activity.