Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and natural products, particularly in asymmetric synthesis where stereochemistry is critical. Its aldehyde functionality allows for versatile transformations, such as nucleophilic additions and reductions, enabling the formation of complex chiral intermediates. Commonly employed in the preparation of antiviral and antibacterial agents, as well as in the development of biologically active molecules with high enantiomeric purity. Its cyclic acetal structure provides stability and selectivity during multi-step syntheses.