Used as a chiral building block and intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, including enantioselective production of anti-inflammatory drugs such as profens (e.g., related to ibuprofen). Its ester derivatives function as key intermediates in asymmetric synthesis to produce optically active compounds. Additionally, it is utilized in the preparation of biodegradable polymers, as a resolving agent for racemic mixtures leveraging its optical activity, and in prodrug designs to enhance bioavailability and control the release of active pharmaceutical ingredients.