Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, this compound serves in the preparation of pharmaceutical agents, particularly those targeting central nervous system disorders. Its structure allows for the introduction of piperidine-based moieties into larger molecules, which are common in neuroactive drugs. It is also employed in the development of receptor agonists and antagonists due to the reactivity of the methanesulfonate group, enabling nucleophilic substitution reactions. Commonly found in research settings, it supports the creation of novel compounds for biological evaluation in drug discovery programs.