Used primarily as a protected diol intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the construction of complex natural products and pharmaceuticals. The silyl ether group provides stability under a variety of reaction conditions while allowing selective deprotection when needed. Its cyclohexanol core with a pendant protected hydroxymethyl group makes it valuable in stereoselective synthesis, where controlled functionalization is required. Commonly employed in multi-step syntheses involving glycosidation, macrolide formation, or polyketide-like structures due to its ability to direct stereochemistry and support carbon chain elongation.