This chemical is primarily used in organic synthesis, particularly in peptide chemistry. It serves as a protected amino acid derivative, where the tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) group acts as a protective group for the amino functionality. This allows for selective reactions at other sites of the molecule without affecting the amino group. It is commonly employed in the synthesis of complex peptides and pharmaceuticals, enabling the stepwise construction of peptide chains. Additionally, its pent-4-enoic acid moiety provides versatility for further functionalization, making it valuable in the development of bioactive compounds and drug intermediates.