Used primarily as a chiral intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists and modulators. It plays a key role in the production of compounds targeting neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and cognitive dysfunction. Due to its structural similarity to nicotine, derivatives of this compound are investigated for their potential in treating addiction, depression, and neuropathic pain. It is also employed in research settings for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of neuroactive agents.