Used in pharmaceutical research as a chiral building block for synthesizing bioactive molecules, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. Its structure supports high enantioselectivity, making it valuable in asymmetric synthesis. Commonly employed in the preparation of potential antipsychotic and antidepressant compounds due to its affinity for neurotransmitter receptors. Also utilized in the study of metabolic stability and drug-receptor interactions because of the trifluoromethyl group enhancing lipophilicity and resistance to oxidation.