Used in the synthesis of various pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of antiviral and anticancer agents. It serves as a key intermediate in the production of nucleoside analogs, which are crucial for inhibiting viral replication and targeting cancer cells. Additionally, it is employed in biochemical research for studying enzyme mechanisms and metabolic pathways due to its structural similarity to natural pyrimidines. Its carboxylic acid group allows for further functionalization, making it a versatile building block in organic chemistry and drug discovery.