Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that require chiral pyrrolidine scaffolds. The Boc-protected amine enables selective reactions, while the free hydroxyl group at the 4-position allows for further functionalization in multi-step organic syntheses. The 2-ethyl substituent provides additional structural diversity. Commonly employed in the production of neuroactive drugs and enzyme inhibitors due to the structural similarity to proline derivatives. Also utilized in medicinal chemistry as a building block in drug discovery programs targeting central nervous system disorders.