Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) requiring piperidine scaffolds. Its protected amine and hydroxymethyl functional groups allow selective reactions, making it valuable in constructing complex molecules for central nervous system drugs, including antidepressants and antipsychotics. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies due to its stereochemistry and functional group compatibility in multi-step syntheses.