Used as a chiral intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of biologically active compounds where stereochemistry plays a critical role. Its structure allows for selective reactions in asymmetric synthesis, making it valuable in creating enantiomerically pure drugs. Commonly employed in the preparation of protease inhibitors and central nervous system agents due to the presence of the pyrrolidine ring and chiral center. Also utilized in medicinal chemistry for building complex molecules through nucleophilic addition or reduction reactions, where the benzyl group acts as a protecting group that can be easily removed under mild conditions.