Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors and other biologically active compounds. Its nitrile group allows for further functionalization, enabling the formation of amines, carboxylic acids, or heterocycles. The trifluoroacetic acid salt enhances stability and solubility during synthetic processes. Commonly employed in asymmetric synthesis due to the stereochemical integrity of the (2S) configuration, it supports the preparation of enantiomerically pure drugs, including those targeting viral infections and central nervous system disorders.