Used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, particularly in the development of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other bioactive molecules. Its structure supports the creation of chiral building blocks for drug design, enhancing metabolic stability and target selectivity. Commonly employed in organic synthesis for carbon-chain elongation and functional group transformations due to the reactivity of the carboxylic acid group. Also utilized in the preparation of esters and amides for structure-activity relationship studies in medicinal chemistry.