Used as a chiral intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical agents, particularly in the development of central nervous system drugs. Its structural motif allows for selective interaction with neurotransmitter receptors, making it valuable in creating enantiomerically pure compounds for treating neurological disorders. Commonly employed in research settings for designing serotonin and dopamine modulators due to its phenylpropanoic backbone and amine functionality. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis to introduce stereochemical control in complex molecule construction.