Used primarily in pharmaceutical research, this compound serves as a key intermediate in the synthesis of various bioactive molecules. It is particularly valuable in the development of drugs targeting the central nervous system, such as antidepressants and anxiolytics, due to its structural properties that influence receptor binding. Additionally, it finds application in the study of enzyme inhibition and as a chiral building block in asymmetric synthesis, aiding in the creation of enantiomerically pure compounds. Its trifluoromethoxy group enhances metabolic stability, making it useful in optimizing drug candidates for improved pharmacokinetic profiles.