This compound is primarily used in peptide synthesis as a protected amino acid derivative. It serves as a building block for creating complex peptides and proteins, particularly in research and pharmaceutical development. The tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) group acts as a protective group for the amino function, preventing unwanted reactions during the synthesis process. The dimethylamide group (from the 5-(dimethylamino)-5-oxo moiety) enhances solubility and can influence the reactivity of the compound. Its application is crucial in medicinal chemistry for designing peptide-based drugs, enzyme inhibitors, and other bioactive molecules. Additionally, it is utilized in the study of protein folding and structure-function relationships due to its ability to mimic natural amino acids while offering controlled reactivity.