This compound is primarily used in carbohydrate chemistry and glycobiology research. It serves as a key intermediate in the synthesis of complex oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. The benzyl protecting groups on the hydroxyl moieties make it a versatile building block for selective glycosylation reactions, enabling the construction of specific glycosidic linkages. Its thiogalactoside structure is particularly useful in enzymatic studies and the development of glycosidase inhibitors. Additionally, it finds applications in the preparation of glycoproteins and glycolipids, which are essential for studying cell-surface interactions and biological recognition processes. Its role in the synthesis of biologically active molecules makes it valuable in drug discovery and development.