Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of biologically active compounds, particularly in pharmaceutical development. Its structure supports the construction of imidazole-based molecules, which are common in drug design due to their presence in many enzyme inhibitors and receptor antagonists. The aldehyde group allows for further functionalization through reactions such as reductive amination or condensation, enabling the introduction of side chains or ring systems. The Boc-protected amine ensures compatibility in multi-step syntheses, especially in peptide-like frameworks where selective deprotection is required. It is also employed in the preparation of heterocyclic compounds for use in medicinal chemistry research, including kinase inhibitors and antiviral agents.