This compound is primarily utilized in the pharmaceutical and biochemical research fields due to its structural similarity to natural sugars and its role as an intermediate in the synthesis of complex organic molecules. It is often employed in the development of antiviral and antibacterial agents, as its structure can mimic sugar moieties that are crucial for the activity of certain drugs. Additionally, it serves as a key building block in the production of nucleoside analogs, which are essential in the treatment of viral infections such as HIV and hepatitis. Its stereochemistry and functional groups make it valuable in the study of enzyme mechanisms and carbohydrate metabolism, aiding in the design of enzyme inhibitors and metabolic pathway modulators.