Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) requiring high enantiomeric purity. Its structure supports the creation of potent central nervous system agents and enzyme inhibitors. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies due to the fluoromethyl group enhancing metabolic stability and bioavailability. Also utilized in the preparation of prodrugs and as an intermediate in asymmetric synthesis.