Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system (CNS) agents. It serves as a building block for bioactive molecules due to its ability to enhance metabolic stability and improve blood-brain barrier penetration. Commonly employed in the preparation of receptor agonists and antagonists, especially targeting serotonin, dopamine, and histamine receptors. Its trifluoroethyl group contributes to increased lipophilicity and resistance to enzymatic degradation, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for optimizing drug candidates. Also utilized in research settings for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.