Used primarily as a chemical intermediate in pharmaceutical synthesis, this compound plays a role in the development of bioactive molecules, particularly those targeting central nervous system disorders. Its structure supports the creation of analogs for medicinal research, especially in optimizing drug candidates with imidazole-based scaffolds. It is also employed in the preparation of selective receptor modulators due to the favorable steric and electronic properties imparted by the cyclobutylmethyl and ester groups. Commonly found in research settings, it aids in structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies for new therapeutic agents.