Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of beta-lactam antibiotics, particularly penems and carbapenems, which are broad-spectrum antibiotics effective against resistant bacterial strains. It serves as a building block for introducing the azetidine ring system into more complex molecules, enhancing metabolic stability and binding affinity to penicillin-binding proteins. Also employed in the development of enzyme inhibitors and other bioactive compounds in medicinal chemistry research. Its hydrochloride salt form improves solubility and handling in synthetic processes.