Used primarily in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, this compound serves as a chiral building block in organic reactions. Its hydroxy acid structure allows for easy functionalization, making it valuable in creating intermediates for active ingredients in crop protection products. It is also employed in the preparation of specialty polymers and esters used in fragrances and flavorings due to its ability to form stable ester derivatives. The presence of both hydroxyl and carboxylic acid groups enables participation in condensation and coupling reactions, useful in research and development of complex organic molecules.