Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antiviral and antitumor agents. Its rigid dioxane backbone with ester functionalities allows for selective modifications, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building complex molecular structures. Also employed in the preparation of chiral auxiliaries and asymmetric synthesis due to its stereochemical stability. Additionally, it serves as a building block in the design of prodrugs, where the ester groups can be tailored for controlled release.