Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of chiral drugs where stereochemistry plays a critical role in biological activity. Its structure allows for selective functionalization in multi-step organic syntheses, especially in the preparation of protease inhibitors and other bioactive molecules. The benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz) protecting group facilitates controlled amine reactivity, making it valuable in peptide coupling and solid-phase synthesis. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for constructing complex molecules with high enantiomeric purity.