Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of fluorinated azetidine-based drugs. Its structure supports enhanced metabolic stability and bioavailability in drug candidates. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for constructing constrained ring systems that modulate potency and selectivity in bioactive molecules. The hydroxymethyl and difluoro groups allow further functionalization, enabling derivatization for structure-activity relationship studies. Also utilized in the preparation of protease inhibitors and central nervous system agents.