It is primarily used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly those targeting neurological disorders. It serves as a key intermediate in the production of drugs that modulate neurotransmitter activity, such as GABA analogs, which are effective in treating epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and anxiety disorders. Additionally, it is utilized in research to develop novel therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Its chiral structure makes it valuable in asymmetric synthesis, enabling the creation of enantiomerically pure compounds with enhanced pharmacological properties.