Azetidine hydrochloride is primarily used in organic synthesis as a building block for the creation of more complex chemical compounds. It serves as a precursor in the development of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the synthesis of beta-lactam antibiotics and other heterocyclic compounds. Its structure is valuable in medicinal chemistry for designing molecules with potential therapeutic effects, such as enzyme inhibitors or receptor modulators. Additionally, it is employed in research settings to study ring strain and reactivity in small cyclic amines, aiding in the development of novel chemical reactions and methodologies.