Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents and antidepressants. Its fluorinated aromatic structure and stereochemistry make it valuable for enhancing metabolic stability and binding selectivity in drug candidates. Commonly employed in the preparation of norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis to introduce fluorinated motifs with high enantiomeric purity.