5′-O-Acetyl Adenosine is primarily used in biochemical research and pharmaceutical development. It serves as a modified nucleoside, playing a key role in the synthesis of nucleotide analogs. These analogs are crucial for studying enzyme mechanisms, particularly those involving kinases and phosphorylases, as the acetyl group can influence reactivity and stability. Additionally, it is utilized in the development of antiviral and anticancer drugs, where its structural modifications help enhance drug efficacy and target specificity. The compound is also employed in metabolic studies to trace and understand cellular processes involving adenosine and its derivatives.