Used in the synthesis of antiviral and anticancer prodrugs, this compound serves as an intermediate in the development of nucleoside analogs. Its modified sugar and base moieties enhance cellular uptake and metabolic stability, making it valuable in pharmaceutical research. The acetyl and pentanoyl protecting groups improve lipophilicity, aiding in membrane permeability. Once inside cells, these groups are cleaved enzymatically, releasing the active drug form. It is particularly explored in prodrug strategies for targeted activation in cancer therapy and viral inhibition.