Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors and other bioactive molecules. Its stereochemistry and functional groups allow for selective transformations in multi-step organic syntheses. Commonly employed in the preparation of β-amino acids and peptidomimetics due to the protected amine and activated ester functionalities. Widely utilized in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship studies and in the construction of complex drug candidates.