Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Its enantiomeric purity is valuable for creating biologically active forms of drugs, where the (R)-enantiomer may serve as an intermediate or precursor in asymmetric synthesis. Also employed in research for studying stereoselective reactions and enzyme interactions due to its defined chirality and aromatic halogen functionality.