Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the production of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Its hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional groups make it suitable for esterification and condensation reactions. It serves in the preparation of chiral building blocks for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), where the hydroxy group can be further modified to introduce complexity in molecular structures. Also found in some specialty polymers and as a precursor in the synthesis of flavor and fragrance compounds due to its structural characteristics.