Used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, particularly in the development of central nervous system (CNS) active compounds. It serves as a chiral building block in the preparation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other neuromodulatory agents. Its nitrile functionality allows for further chemical transformations, such as reduction to aminomethyl groups or conversion to tetrazoles, enhancing its utility in drug design. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies due to its rigid aromatic core and stereochemical purity.