Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system (CNS) agents. It serves as a building block for piperidine-based drugs, including analgesics, antipsychotics, and antiemetics. Its functional groups allow for selective modifications, enabling the creation of complex molecules with improved bioavailability and target specificity. Commonly utilized in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies due to its rigid piperidine scaffold and ester-carboxylic acid functionality.