1-Boc-3-azetidinone is widely used in organic synthesis as a key intermediate for the preparation of various pharmaceutical compounds. It is particularly valuable in the development of β-lactam antibiotics, where it serves as a building block for constructing the azetidinone ring, a core structure in many antibiotics. Additionally, it is employed in the synthesis of protease inhibitors, which are crucial in treating diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C. The Boc (tert-butoxycarbonyl) protecting group in this compound allows for selective reactions, making it a versatile tool in multi-step synthetic processes. Its application extends to the production of other nitrogen-containing heterocycles, which are important in medicinal chemistry for designing drugs with enhanced efficacy and specificity.