Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It serves as a chiral building block in asymmetric synthesis, enabling the development of enantiomerically pure compounds. Also employed in the preparation of agrochemicals and bioactive molecules due to its functional groups that allow for further chemical modifications. Its hydroxy and carboxylic acid moieties make it suitable for esterification and coupling reactions in medicinal chemistry.