Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of nootropic and neuroprotective agents. Its structural features make it valuable for creating compounds that modulate cognitive function and support neuronal health. The compound is also employed in research settings to design enzyme inhibitors and bioactive molecules due to its ability to mimic natural metabolites. Its hydroxy and amino functional groups allow for easy modification, enabling the creation of diverse derivatives for structure-activity relationship studies.