Used primarily in pharmaceutical research as a key intermediate in the synthesis of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Its structural configuration supports high binding affinity to serotonin transporters, making it valuable in developing antidepressant drugs. The compound’s chiral center enhances specificity in biological activity, reducing off-target effects in central nervous system therapies. It is also explored in the development of radiolabeled derivatives for neuroimaging studies related to mood disorders.