Used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, particularly in the development of antiviral and antitumor agents. Its chiral structure makes it valuable in asymmetric synthesis, where stereochemistry plays a critical role in drug efficacy. Commonly employed in the preparation of cyclopentane-based nucleoside analogs, which mimic natural nucleosides and interfere with viral replication. Also utilized in medicinal chemistry for optimizing pharmacokinetic properties of drug candidates due to its favorable polarity and hydrogen bonding capacity.