Used as a key intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of pharmaceuticals and biologically active compounds. Its hydroxyl and ester functional groups allow for selective transformations, making it valuable in constructing complex molecules such as enzyme inhibitors or drug candidates. It is also employed in asymmetric synthesis to introduce chirality, useful in the development of enantiomerically pure therapeutics. Additionally, it serves as a building block in the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogs and other neuroactive compounds.