Used as a key intermediate in carbohydrate chemistry, particularly in the synthesis of modified sugars and nucleoside analogs. Its rigid cyclic structure helps in stereoselective reactions, making it valuable in the preparation of chiral building blocks for pharmaceuticals. Commonly employed in the development of antiviral and anticancer agents due to its ability to mimic natural sugar moieties while resisting metabolic degradation. Also utilized in the study of enzyme mechanisms involving glycosyl transfer.