Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antiviral and anticancer agents. It serves as a building block for nucleoside analogs that interfere with viral replication or disrupt DNA synthesis in tumor cells. Also employed in research for designing enzyme inhibitors and studying biochemical pathways involving pyrimidine metabolism. Its hydroxyamino functional group allows for selective chemical modifications, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for optimizing drug candidates.