Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical agents, particularly in the development of central nervous system (CNS) active compounds. Its structure supports binding to neuronal receptors, making it valuable in the research of antidepressants and antipsychotics. The presence of the trifluoromethylpyridine group enhances metabolic stability and bioavailability, which is beneficial for drug candidates requiring oral administration and prolonged activity. It is also employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies due to its rigid piperidine-pyridine scaffold.