Used as a chiral building block in organic synthesis, particularly in the development of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Its rigid cyclopentane backbone and two adjacent hydroxyl groups in cis configuration make it valuable for constructing stereoselective molecules. Commonly employed in the synthesis of antiviral and anticancer agents, where spatial orientation of functional groups is critical. Also utilized in the preparation of ligands for asymmetric catalysis and in the design of biologically active natural product analogs.