This compound is primarily utilized in organic synthesis as a chiral building block or intermediate. Its structure, featuring a piperidine ring with carboxylate groups, makes it valuable in the preparation of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of enantiomerically pure drugs. The tert-butyl group enhances steric protection, allowing selective reactions at other sites of the molecule. It is often employed in the synthesis of complex molecules where chirality plays a critical role in biological activity. Additionally, it serves as a precursor in the production of ligands for asymmetric catalysis, aiding in the creation of compounds with high enantioselectivity.