Used as a key chiral intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical agents, particularly in the production of central nervous system (CNS) active compounds. Its structure supports the development of enantiomerically pure drugs, where the (S)-configuration is critical for biological activity. Commonly employed in the preparation of antidepressants and anticonvulsants due to its ability to mimic amino acid motifs that interact with neurotransmitter systems. The bromophenyl group allows for further functionalization via cross-coupling reactions, enabling structural diversification during drug optimization. The hydrochloride salt form enhances stability and solubility, facilitating handling and downstream processing in multi-step syntheses.