Used in the synthesis of purine-based pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antiviral and anticancer agents. Acts as an intermediate in the preparation of substituted purines that can modulate kinase activity and interfere with nucleic acid metabolism. Also employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship studies due to its ability to serve as a scaffold for functionalization at multiple positions. Its chloro group is readily displaced, enabling coupling with amines or other nucleophiles to generate biologically active derivatives.