(1R)-3-Oxocyclopentane-1-carbonitrile is used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of prostaglandin analogs and other bioactive molecules. As a chiral cyclopentanone derivative, its structure and functional groups (ketone and nitrile) make it valuable in asymmetric synthesis, enabling the development of enantiomerically pure drugs. Commonly employed in research and development for creating novel therapeutic agents with high specificity and efficacy.