Used primarily in organic synthesis as a glycosylating agent, enabling the formation of glycosidic bonds in the production of complex carbohydrates and nucleoside analogs. Its selective reactivity makes it valuable in pharmaceutical research, especially in developing antiviral and anticancer agents. The compound's stability under various reaction conditions allows for efficient coupling in multi-step synthesis. It is also employed in the preparation of labeled sugars for biochemical tracing and metabolic studies.