Used primarily in pharmaceutical research, this compound serves as a chiral building block in the synthesis of various active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Its structure is particularly valuable in the development of drugs targeting the central nervous system, such as antidepressants and anxiolytics, due to its ability to interact with neurotransmitter systems. Additionally, it is employed in the study of enzyme mechanisms and receptor binding activities, aiding in the discovery of new therapeutic agents. Its fluorophenyl group enhances binding affinity and metabolic stability, making it a useful component in medicinal chemistry.