Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of statins, which are cholesterol-lowering drugs. It serves as a chiral building block in asymmetric synthesis, enabling the development of complex molecules with high stereochemical purity. Also finds use in the preparation of natural products and bioactive compounds due to its cyclic ester structure, which can be further functionalized. Its reactivity and structural features make it valuable in medicinal chemistry and process development for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).