This chemical is primarily 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 carboxyl side chain during the peptide coupling process. This protection ensures selective reactivity, allowing the amino group to participate in forming peptide bonds without interference. It is particularly useful in solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) for creating complex peptides with precise sequences. After the peptide chain is assembled, the tert-butyl group can be easily removed under mild acidic conditions, restoring the free carboxyl group of glutamic acid. This compound is valuable in pharmaceutical research, enabling the development of peptides with potential therapeutic applications.