Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where stereochemistry plays a critical role in biological activity. Its structure allows for selective interactions in asymmetric synthesis, making it valuable in producing enantiomerically pure drugs. Commonly employed in the preparation of antidepressants and central nervous system agents due to the presence of the dichlorophenyl moiety, which can enhance binding affinity to certain receptors. Also utilized in research settings for the development of novel bioactive molecules and in process chemistry for route optimization in drug manufacturing.