Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceutical agents, particularly in the development of central nervous system drugs. Its structural motif allows for interaction with neurotransmitter systems, making it valuable in the preparation of compounds targeting neurological disorders such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and anxiety. The (R)-enantiomer’s stereochemistry is critical for biological activity, enabling selective binding to specific receptors or enzymes. It is also employed in medicinal chemistry research for optimizing drug candidates due to its metabolic stability and ability to mimic natural amino acids.