Used in the synthesis of antiviral drugs, particularly in the development of nucleoside analogs that inhibit viral replication. It serves as a key intermediate in creating modified RNA-like structures that interfere with the replication machinery of RNA viruses. Its fluorinated sugar moiety enhances metabolic stability and improves binding affinity to viral polymerases. Commonly applied in pharmaceutical research for treatments targeting RNA viruses, including certain strains of hepatitis and coronaviruses.