This compound is primarily used in the synthesis of peptides and pharmaceuticals, where it serves as a building block for creating complex molecules. Its structure, featuring a tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) protecting group, makes it valuable in organic synthesis, particularly in peptide coupling reactions. The Boc group can be easily removed under mild acidic conditions, allowing for selective deprotection in multi-step synthetic processes. Additionally, its chiral nature enables the production of enantiomerically pure compounds, which is crucial in the development of drugs with specific biological activities. It is also employed in research settings for studying enzyme mechanisms and designing inhibitors.