This compound is primarily used in peptide synthesis as a protected amino acid derivative. The Boc (tert-butoxycarbonyl) group serves as a protective group for the amine functionality, preventing unwanted reactions during peptide chain assembly. The pyridyl side chain in the structure can participate in coordination chemistry, making it useful in the development of metal-chelating peptides or ligands. Additionally, its chiral nature makes it valuable in the synthesis of stereospecific peptides for pharmaceutical research. It is also employed in the study of enzyme-substrate interactions and the development of bioactive peptides for therapeutic applications.