Used as a key chiral intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical agents, particularly in the production of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for treating depression and anxiety disorders. Its enantiomerically pure structure enables selective biological activity, improving drug efficacy and reducing side effects. Commonly employed in asymmetric synthesis routes where the ester functionality allows for further chemical modifications, such as hydrolysis or amidation, to build complex active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Also utilized in research settings for developing novel CNS-targeting compounds due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier effectively.