Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of biologically active compounds containing pyrrolidine scaffolds. Its protected amine group allows for selective reactions at other functional sites, making it valuable in multi-step organic syntheses. Commonly employed in the preparation of protease inhibitors, cognitive enhancers, and central nervous system agents. The ester functionality can be hydrolyzed to the corresponding carboxylic acid for further derivatization, enabling incorporation into peptides or complex heterocycles. Widely utilized in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship studies due to its conformational rigidity and chiral stability.