Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. Its structural features make it valuable for creating bioactive molecules with high enantioselectivity. Commonly employed in the preparation of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, contributing to the activity of certain antidepressants and anxiolytics. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis due to the presence of adjacent amino and hydroxyl functional groups, which can act as directing groups or coordination sites in catalytic reactions.