Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system (CNS) agents and neuromodulatory drugs. Its cyclobutane backbone provides structural rigidity, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for optimizing potency and metabolic stability. Commonly employed in the preparation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogs and other bioactive molecules where constrained amino acid derivatives are required. Also utilized in the research of enzyme inhibitors and receptor ligands due to its ability to mimic natural amino acids while offering enhanced selectivity.