Used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antibiotics and other therapeutic agents. It serves as a chiral building block in organic chemistry, enabling the creation of enantiomerically pure compounds. This is crucial for producing drugs with higher efficacy and fewer side effects. Additionally, it finds application in peptide research, where it helps in modifying peptide structures to enhance their biological activity or stability. Its incorporation into drug molecules can improve pharmacokinetic properties, such as absorption and metabolism.