This compound is primarily used in the synthesis of nucleoside analogs, which are crucial in the development of antiviral and anticancer drugs. Its structure serves as a key intermediate in the production of modified nucleosides, enabling the creation of molecules that can inhibit viral replication or target cancer cells. Additionally, it is employed in carbohydrate chemistry research to study glycosylation processes, which are essential for understanding biological interactions and developing therapeutic agents. Its acetylated groups make it a versatile building block for constructing complex sugar derivatives used in drug discovery and biochemical studies.