Used primarily in organic synthesis, this chemical serves as a key intermediate in the preparation of nucleoside analogs, which are crucial for developing antiviral and anticancer drugs. Its benzyl and nitrobenzoyl protecting groups allow selective deprotection, enabling precise modifications to the sugar moiety. This specificity is vital in creating structurally diverse compounds for pharmaceutical research. Additionally, it plays a role in carbohydrate chemistry, aiding in the study of glycosylation reactions and the synthesis of complex oligosaccharides. Its applications extend to the development of novel therapeutic agents and the exploration of biochemical pathways.