Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of antiviral and antitumor agents, particularly in the preparation of nucleoside analogs. Its protected sugar structure makes it valuable in pharmaceutical research for constructing glycosidic bonds with high stereoselectivity. Commonly employed in the development of modified nucleosides used in chemotherapy and antiviral therapy, including certain HIV and hepatitis treatments. Also utilized in carbohydrate chemistry for the assembly of complex oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates for biological studies.