N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-D-alaninal is an intermediate in the synthesis of (R)-1,1-Diethoxy-2-propanamine (D442115), which can be used for the synthesis of N-protected α-amino aldehydes occur as C-terminal units of peptide aldehydes with enzyme inhibitor activity, such as Leupeptin. They can also be used for the preparation of amino sugars, and unusual amino acids.