Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where the trifluoromethyl group enhances metabolic stability and bioavailability. Commonly employed in the preparation of neuroactive compounds and central nervous system (CNS) agents due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Its hydrochloride salt form improves solubility and handling in aqueous reaction media. Widely utilized in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies involving fluorinated heterocycles.