Used as a protected intermediate in the synthesis of antiviral nucleoside analogs, particularly for retroviral treatments such as HIV. This compound, a diacetylated form of 2'-deoxythymidine, facilitates selective chemical modifications in the preparation of drugs like zidovudine (AZT), which inhibits reverse transcriptase to prevent viral replication. Its defined stereochemistry (β-D configuration) ensures proper incorporation into pharmaceutical intermediates, improving synthetic efficiency. Also employed in oligonucleotide synthesis for research and diagnostic applications, contributing to the construction of DNA sequences.