Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of chiral drugs where the (R)-enantiomer is required for optimal biological activity. Its aldehyde functionality allows for further chemical modifications, such as reductive amination or condensation reactions, enabling the construction of complex nitrogen-containing molecules. Commonly employed in the preparation of bioactive compounds, including protease inhibitors and receptor antagonists. Its protected amine group (via Cbz) facilitates selective reactions at other sites, making it valuable in multi-step organic syntheses, especially in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.