Used in pharmaceutical synthesis as a chiral intermediate for antiviral drugs, particularly in the development of nucleoside analogs targeting herpesviruses. Its hydroxymethyl and amino functional groups allow for selective modifications, enabling the creation of biologically active compounds targeting viral polymerases. Commonly employed in the preparation of prodrugs with improved bioavailability and metabolic stability. Also utilized in research settings for structure-activity relationship studies in purine-based therapeutics.