Used in the synthesis of β-lactam antibiotics, particularly as an intermediate in the production of carbapenem-class antibiotics. It plays a key role in enhancing the stability and efficacy of these antibiotics by contributing to their ability to resist β-lactamase enzymes produced by resistant bacteria. The compound's chiral center and functional groups allow for specific interactions in enzymatic pathways, making it valuable in pharmaceutical development for treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.