Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of bioactive molecules where stereochemistry plays a critical role. Its hydroxyl and amino functional groups allow for versatile chemical modifications, making it valuable in creating intermediates for drugs targeting central nervous system disorders and metabolic diseases. Commonly employed in asymmetric synthesis to introduce specific stereocenters in complex molecules. Also utilized in the preparation of enzyme inhibitors and receptor agonists due to its structural similarity to natural amino alcohols.