Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the production of pharmaceuticals. It serves as a building block for the preparation of certain central nervous system agents and anti-inflammatory compounds. Due to its chiral center, it is valuable in the development of enantioselective drugs. Also employed in the synthesis of agrochemicals and specialty polymers where specific stereochemistry is required. Its amide functionality allows for further derivatization, making it useful in medicinal chemistry research for structure-activity relationship studies.