Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of beta-blockers and other cardiovascular drugs. Its enantiomeric purity makes it valuable in asymmetric synthesis, where it helps control stereochemistry in complex molecules. Also employed in the preparation of chiral ligands and catalysts for enantioselective reactions. Commonly utilized in research and development for drug discovery due to its functional group compatibility and ease of transformation into target structures.