Used as an intermediate in pharmaceutical synthesis, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where the piperidine ring serves as a key structural motif. The tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) protecting group enhances stability during multi-step reactions and allows for selective deprotection under mild acidic conditions. This compound is valuable in the preparation of centrally acting drugs, including those targeting neurological and psychiatric disorders, due to the favorable pharmacokinetic properties imparted by the 3-methylpiperidine scaffold. It is also employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to optimize potency and selectivity.