Used in pharmaceutical synthesis as a chiral building block for developing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), particularly in drugs targeting neurological and psychiatric disorders. Its hydroxyl and acetyl functional groups allow for easy modification, making it valuable in creating enantiomerically pure compounds. Commonly employed in the development of cognitive enhancers and treatments for neurodegenerative diseases due to its structural similarity to natural neurotransmitters. Also utilized in the synthesis of protease inhibitors and other bioactive molecules where stereochemistry plays a critical role in activity.