Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents and opioid receptor modulators. Its structural framework supports the creation of bioactive molecules due to the presence of a rigid tetrahydroisoquinoline core and a functionalized side chain. Commonly employed in asymmetric synthesis and medicinal chemistry for designing enzyme inhibitors and neuroactive compounds. Also utilized in the preparation of ligands for receptor binding studies.