Used in pharmaceutical research as a chiral intermediate for synthesizing bioactive molecules, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. Its structural features make it suitable for modifying pharmacokinetic properties in drug candidates, enhancing selectivity and binding affinity to target receptors. Commonly employed in the synthesis of dopamine or serotonin receptor modulators due to the presence of the substituted piperazine core. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis routes where the nitrile group allows further functionalization into amines or carboxylic acids.