Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. It serves as a key building block for alkaloid-like structures with potential bioactivity, including compounds studied for their antihypertensive, antiarrhythmic, and neuroprotective effects. Its tetrahydroisoquinoline core is valuable in medicinal chemistry for designing dopamine receptor ligands and other neuroactive drugs. Also employed in research settings to explore structure-activity relationships in heterocyclic compounds.