Used as a key chiral intermediate in the synthesis of antiviral pharmaceutical agents, particularly nucleoside analogs that inhibit viral replication in diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV. Its (3R,4S) stereochemistry enables the development of enantiomerically pure compounds, enhancing molecular stability, bioavailability, and overall drug efficacy while reducing potential side effects. The tert-butyl carbamate protecting group facilitates selective synthesis steps. Also applied in medicinal chemistry research for novel bioactive molecule development and structure-activity relationship studies.