Ethyl 5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylate is widely used in organic synthesis as a versatile intermediate. It serves as a key building block in the preparation of various pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of compounds with potential therapeutic properties. Its pyrrolidine ring structure is valuable in designing molecules for drug discovery, especially for targeting neurological and metabolic disorders. Additionally, it is employed in the synthesis of peptides and peptidomimetics, which are crucial in the study of biological processes and drug development. Its ester group also makes it a useful precursor for further chemical modifications, enabling the creation of diverse derivatives for research and industrial applications.