This chemical is primarily used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors. It serves as a key intermediate in the production of drugs targeting viral infections, including HIV and hepatitis C. Its structure allows it to interact effectively with enzyme active sites, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry. Additionally, it is utilized in research settings for studying enzyme mechanisms and designing new therapeutic agents. Its role in peptide synthesis also makes it relevant in the field of biochemistry for creating modified peptides with specific biological activities.