Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligands. It serves as an intermediate in the production of nootropic and neuroprotective agents. Its structural similarity to nicotine allows exploration in treatments for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Also employed in asymmetric synthesis due to its stereochemical stability and ability to direct enantioselective reactions.