This chemical is commonly used in peptide synthesis as a building block. It serves as a protected form of glutamic acid, where the tert-butyl ester group safeguards the carboxylic acid functionality during the peptide assembly process. This protection is crucial to prevent unwanted side reactions and ensure the correct sequence of amino acids in the final peptide product. It is particularly valuable in solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), where selective deprotection and coupling steps are essential. Additionally, it is employed in the development of pharmaceutical peptides and bioactive compounds, where precise control over amino acid incorporation is critical.