This compound is primarily utilized in organic synthesis as a chiral building block. It serves as a key intermediate in the production of enantiomerically pure pharmaceuticals, particularly in the synthesis of complex molecules where stereochemistry is critical. Its structure, featuring a benzyloxymethyl group, makes it useful for protecting and deprotecting functional groups during multi-step synthetic processes. Additionally, it is employed in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where the specific (R)-configuration is required for biological activity. Its stability and ease of manipulation under various reaction conditions make it a valuable tool in asymmetric synthesis and medicinal chemistry research.