Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of analgesic and antitussive agents. Its structure allows for the construction of complex nitrogen-containing heterocycles, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for developing opioid receptor modulators. Commonly employed in research settings to build piperidine-based drug candidates. Also utilized in the preparation of local anesthetics and other central nervous system-active compounds due to its versatile functional groups that enable further chemical modifications.