Used as a key intermediate in carbohydrate chemistry for the synthesis of complex oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. The benzyl groups provide stable protection for hydroxyl functions during glycosylation reactions, allowing selective modification at other positions of the glucose ring. Commonly employed in the preparation of biologically active natural products, especially those involving glycosidic linkages in antibiotics or cell surface mimics. Its α-configuration helps control stereochemistry in subsequent glycosylation steps, making it valuable in the development of vaccines and glycomimetic drugs.