Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. It serves as an intermediate in the production of certain antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs due to its structural similarity to bioactive pyridine derivatives. Its enantiomeric purity makes it valuable in asymmetric synthesis where stereochemistry influences drug efficacy and safety. Also employed in research settings for the preparation of novel receptor ligands and enzyme inhibitors.