This compound has benign qualities and is biodegradable, water miscible, and functions as a versatile solvent for CA membrane preparation. This is also used as an intermediate for the production of other chemicals, polymers, and derivatives. Thus this product has been enhanced for Safer solvents and auxiliaries. (-)-Methyl L-lactate can be used as a chiral auxiliary during the synthesis of Bao Gong Teng A, an antiglaucoma compound.