Used primarily in organic synthesis, this compound serves as a key intermediate in the preparation of various carbohydrate derivatives. It is particularly valuable in the development of glycosides and other sugar-based molecules, which are essential in pharmaceutical research for drug development. Additionally, its benzylidene protecting group is crucial in selective reactions, enabling the modification of specific hydroxyl groups while leaving others intact. This specificity is vital in the synthesis of complex oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, which have applications in vaccine development and the study of biological processes.