Used in advanced organic synthesis as a chiral building block for natural product synthesis, particularly in the development of bioactive lactone derivatives. Shows potential in pharmaceutical research due to its structural similarity to compounds with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Also employed as a reagent in stereoselective reactions, aiding in the formation of complex cyclic frameworks found in terpenoids and polyketide-like molecules. Its hydroxylactone functionality allows for further functionalization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for scaffold diversification.