This compound is commonly used in peptide synthesis as a building block. It serves as a protected form of leucine, where the ethyl ester group helps in facilitating the coupling reactions necessary for peptide chain elongation. It is particularly useful in solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and solution-phase synthesis, enabling the creation of complex peptides and proteins. Additionally, it finds application in research laboratories for studying amino acid interactions and developing pharmaceutical compounds. Its stability and reactivity make it a valuable reagent in organic and medicinal chemistry.