Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of fluorinated drugs where metabolic stability and bioavailability are enhanced by the presence of fluorine atoms. Its hydroxy and carboxylic acid functional groups allow for further chemical modifications, making it valuable in creating active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with specific stereochemistry. Commonly employed in the preparation of enzyme inhibitors and central nervous system agents due to its ability to mimic natural metabolites while resisting degradation.