Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system (CNS) agents and antipsychotic drugs. Its structure supports the formation of bioactive molecules due to its chiral center and functional groups that allow for diverse chemical modifications. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for constructing pyrrolidine-based scaffolds, which are prevalent in drug candidates targeting neurological disorders. Also utilized in the preparation of enzyme inhibitors and receptor modulators, where the methyl and carboxylic acid groups contribute to binding affinity and metabolic stability.