Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. It serves as a building block for pyrrolidine-based bioactive molecules due to its structural features, including a chiral center and functional groups amenable to further modification. Its hydroxymethyl and benzyl substituents allow for selective derivatization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for creating analogs in drug discovery programs. Also explored in the design of enzyme inhibitors and receptor modulators.