Used as a chiral building block in pharmaceutical synthesis, particularly in the development of fluorinated drugs where metabolic stability and bioavailability are enhanced by the trifluoromethyl group. Its hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functionalities allow for easy derivatization, making it valuable in asymmetric synthesis and the preparation of enzyme inhibitors. Commonly employed in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that target central nervous system disorders and inflammatory diseases due to its ability to influence stereochemistry and improve pharmacokinetic properties.