(R)-9-(2-Hydroxypropyl)adenine is primarily utilized in the field of medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical research. It serves as a key intermediate in the synthesis of antiviral drugs, particularly those targeting viral infections such as herpes viruses. Its structure is often leveraged to develop nucleoside analogs, which are crucial for inhibiting viral replication by interfering with the viral polymerase enzymes. Additionally, it is explored for its potential in cancer research, where it may be used to design compounds that disrupt DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cancer cells. Its chiral nature also makes it valuable in the development of enantiomerically pure drugs, enhancing specificity and reducing side effects.