Used as a glycosylation donor in carbohydrate chemistry for the synthesis of complex oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. It serves as a key intermediate in the preparation of biologically active glycosides, particularly in the development of glycosidase inhibitors and glycomimetic drugs. Its protected functional groups allow selective deprotection and coupling in multi-step synthesis of glycoproteins and glycolipids. Commonly applied in research settings for studying enzyme mechanisms involving beta-glucosidases and in the design of antiviral or anticancer agents targeting glycan-processing enzymes.