Used primarily in pharmaceutical research as a chiral building block for the synthesis of neuroactive compounds. It serves as a key intermediate in developing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) modulators, which are investigated for treating neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression. Its structural similarity to nicotine allows selective interaction with receptor subtypes, making it valuable in designing drugs with improved specificity and reduced side effects. Also employed in the development of novel antidepressants and cognitive enhancers due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier efficiently.