Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of biologically active molecules targeting central nervous system disorders and metabolic diseases. Its protected azetidine ring with a hydroxyl functional group allows for selective modifications in multi-step syntheses, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building complex heterocyclic structures. Commonly employed in the preparation of kinase inhibitors and GPCR modulators due to the azetidine scaffold’s favorable pharmacokinetic properties.