Used in organic synthesis as a chiral building block for pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors and other bioactive molecules. Its hydroxyl and amino functional groups allow for selective modifications, making it valuable in asymmetric synthesis. Commonly employed in the preparation of cyclic peptides and peptidomimetics due to its structural similarity to proline, enhancing metabolic stability and conformational control. Also utilized in catalysis as a ligand or organocatalyst in stereoselective reactions.