Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors such as those used in antiviral drugs. Its stereochemistry makes it valuable for constructing complex molecules with high enantioselectivity. Commonly employed in peptide synthesis and as an intermediate in the preparation of bioactive compounds where precise three-dimensional structure is critical. The Boc-protected amine and hydroxyl functionality allow for selective reactions, enabling stepwise assembly of larger molecules in medicinal chemistry research.