It is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of chiral amino acids and amino acid derivatives. It is employed in peptide chemistry for the preparation of protected peptide fragments and specialized peptide analogs. It is used in pharmaceutical research and development to synthesize drug candidates that require a specific stereochemical arrangement.

Its primary purpose is to serve as a protected building block for the stereoselective synthesis of peptides pharmaceuticals and other biologically active molecules while preserving the desired (R)-configuration.

Methyl (2R)-2-amino-3-(tert-butoxy)propanoate is a chiral amino acid ester derivative that contains an amino group a methyl ester group and a tert-butoxy-protected hydroxyl functionality making it a useful intermediate in organic synthesis.