Used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly as a chiral building block for drugs targeting the central nervous system. It serves as an intermediate in the production of certain antidepressants and anti-Parkinson agents due to its structural similarity to biologically active catecholamine derivatives. Its enantiomeric purity is critical for efficacy and safety in final drug products. Also employed in the development of fine chemicals and asymmetric synthesis where chiral amines are required.