Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. Its structure supports the creation of enantiomerically pure compounds, which are important in drug design for improved selectivity and reduced side effects. Commonly employed in the preparation of antihistamines and antidepressants due to its ability to interact with biological targets in a stereospecific manner. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis and catalysis research for developing new synthetic routes in medicinal chemistry.