Used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, particularly in the development of central nervous system (CNS) active compounds. Its structure supports the creation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogs, which are important in treating neurological disorders such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and anxiety. The presence of the trifluoromethyl group enhances metabolic stability and influences binding affinity to target receptors. It is also employed in medicinal chemistry research for designing novel bioactive molecules due to its ability to mimic amino acid frameworks while offering improved pharmacokinetic properties.