Used in pharmaceutical research as a glycoside analog for studying enzyme inhibition, particularly in glycosidase-related metabolic pathways. Its structural similarity to natural sugar moieties allows it to act as a substrate mimic, making it valuable in the development of drugs targeting carbohydrate-processing enzymes. Commonly employed in the synthesis of bioactive compounds, especially those aimed at treating metabolic disorders or viral infections where glycosylation plays a key role. Also utilized as a building block in the preparation of glycoconjugates for immunological studies.