Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where stereochemistry plays a critical role in biological activity. Its hydroxyl and ether functional groups allow for further chemical modifications, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for creating intermediates in drug discovery. Commonly employed in the preparation of protease inhibitors and other bioactive molecules requiring a defined stereocenter. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis due to its stable chiral center and compatibility with various reaction conditions.