This compound is primarily utilized in the field of organic synthesis, particularly in peptide chemistry. It serves as a protected amino acid derivative, where the tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) group acts as a protective moiety for the amino group during peptide bond formation. This protection is crucial in multi-step synthesis processes to prevent unwanted side reactions. Additionally, its naphthalene moiety can impart specific structural and electronic properties to the resulting peptides, making it valuable in the development of bioactive molecules or pharmaceutical intermediates. It is also employed in the synthesis of complex organic compounds where selective protection and deprotection strategies are required.