Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of central nervous system agents. It serves as an intermediate in the production of nootropic and antidepressant drugs due to its structural similarity to known neuroactive compounds. Its enantiomeric purity makes it valuable in asymmetric synthesis where stereochemistry influences biological activity. Also employed in the preparation of catalysts and ligands for enantioselective reactions in medicinal chemistry research.