Used as a glycosylation reagent in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of mannose-containing oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. Serves as a model compound for studying enzyme-substrate interactions involving α-mannosidases and glycosyltransferases. Employed in biochemical research to inhibit or modulate lectin binding and cell-surface recognition processes. Also utilized in the development of synthetic vaccines and diagnostics due to its structural similarity to natural carbohydrate epitopes.