Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of complex oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates, particularly in the construction of mannose-containing structures found in biologically active natural products and glycoproteins. The benzyl protecting groups allow selective deprotection and further functionalization, making it valuable in carbohydrate chemistry for controlled glycosylation reactions. Commonly employed in the development of vaccines, enzyme inhibitors, and synthetic antigens where precise sugar configuration is critical.