Used in organic synthesis as a chiral building block for the preparation of glycosidase inhibitors and iminosugars. Its polyhydroxylated chain and nitrosamine functionality make it suitable for mimicking sugar structures, interfering with carbohydrate-processing enzymes. Applied in research for developing therapeutic agents targeting diabetes, viral infections, and lysosomal storage disorders. Also explored in the design of labeled probes for biochemical studies due to the potential for selective modification and detection.