Used as a chiral building block in pharmaceutical synthesis, particularly in the production of antiviral and antitumor agents. Its stereochemistry makes it valuable for asymmetric synthesis, where it helps control the formation of specific enantiomers. Also employed in the preparation of enzyme inhibitors and bioactive molecules due to its structural similarity to metabolic intermediates. Additionally, it serves as a ligand or intermediate in catalytic systems and can be used in the development of specialty chemicals requiring high enantiomeric purity.