This chemical is primarily utilized in the field of biochemistry and pharmaceutical research. It serves as a crucial building block in the synthesis of peptides and proteins, particularly in the formation of disulfide bonds, which are essential for the structural stability of many proteins. Additionally, it is employed in the development of prodrugs and targeted drug delivery systems, where its disulfide linkage can be cleaved under specific conditions to release active pharmaceutical agents. Its application also extends to the study of redox processes in biological systems, aiding in the understanding of cellular mechanisms involving thiol-disulfide exchange.