Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of nootropic and neuroprotective agents. It serves as an intermediate in the production of racetam-class cognitive enhancers, where the (S)-enantiomer contributes to improved biological activity. Its carboxylic acid and ketone functional groups allow for further chemical modifications, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for creating peptidomimetics and heterocyclic compounds. Also employed in research for studying pyrrolidone metabolism and enzyme inhibition.