Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) requiring chiral cyclohexylamine derivatives. Its structure supports the creation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other central nervous system (CNS) agents. The tert-butyl and carboxylate groups allow for easy functionalization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building complex molecules with high stereochemical purity. Commonly employed in research settings for optimizing drug candidates due to its stability and defined stereochemistry.