Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. It serves as a building block for isoquinoline-based structures, which are found in certain bioactive molecules and alkaloid derivatives. Its protected carboxylic acid functional group (as benzyl ester) and free hydroxy group allow selective reactions in multi-step organic syntheses, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for creating potential neuroprotective or neuromodulatory drugs.