This compound is primarily used in the synthesis of peptides and proteins, where it serves as a building block for introducing specific amino acid sequences with a thiol group. Its tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) protecting group ensures selective deprotection during peptide synthesis, allowing for controlled reactions. The thiol functionality enables the formation of disulfide bonds, which are crucial for stabilizing protein structures and enhancing their biological activity. Additionally, it is employed in the development of drug candidates, particularly those targeting cysteine-rich proteins or enzymes, due to its ability to interact with active sites containing thiol groups. Its application extends to bioconjugation techniques, where it is used to modify biomolecules for research or therapeutic purposes.