Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of enzyme inhibitors and central nervous system agents. Its cyano and ester functional groups allow for further chemical modifications, making it valuable in constructing complex nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship studies due to its rigid azetidine scaffold and ability to mimic peptide bonds. Also utilized in the preparation of beta-amino acids and peptidomimetics.