(S)-tert-Butyl 3-cyanopiperidine-1-carboxylate is primarily used in the pharmaceutical and chemical research industries as a key intermediate in the synthesis of various biologically active compounds. Its structure, featuring a cyano group and a protected amine, makes it valuable for constructing complex molecules, particularly in the development of drugs targeting the central nervous system. It is often employed in the preparation of piperidine derivatives, which are common scaffolds in medicinal chemistry due to their pharmacological properties. Additionally, this compound is utilized in asymmetric synthesis, where its chiral center enables the creation of enantiomerically pure substances, crucial for the production of high-efficacy therapeutics. Its stability and reactivity also make it a suitable candidate for use in multi-step organic synthesis processes.