Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of chiral pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Its sulfonate group acts as a good leaving group, making it suitable for nucleophilic substitution reactions. Commonly employed in the preparation of optically active compounds, especially in the development of enantiomerically pure drugs. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis where the chiral center is preserved or transformed to build complex molecular structures. Due to its reactivity, it is handled under controlled conditions to avoid decomposition or racemization.