This compound is primarily utilized in the synthesis of peptides and pharmaceutical intermediates. It serves as a chiral building block in the production of enantiomerically pure drugs, particularly in the development of beta-amino acids and other bioactive molecules. Its tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) protecting group is crucial in peptide chemistry, as it safeguards the amino group during synthesis and can be selectively removed under mild acidic conditions. The hydroxyl group allows for further functionalization, making it valuable in constructing complex molecular structures. Additionally, its chiral nature is exploited in asymmetric synthesis to achieve high stereochemical control in medicinal chemistry applications.