Widely used in carbohydrate chemistry for the synthesis of oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. It serves as a glycosyl donor in the formation of glycosidic bonds, particularly in the preparation of mannose-containing structures found in many biologically active molecules. Its acetyl protecting groups stabilize the intermediate and allow selective deprotection for further functionalization. Commonly employed in the development of vaccines, antimicrobial agents, and glycoprotein mimetics due to its ability to introduce mannose residues in a stereocontrolled manner. Also used in enzymatic and biochemical studies involving glycosyltransferases and lectins.