Widely used in organic synthesis, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, this compound serves as a chiral building block for the preparation of complex bioactive molecules. Its protected hydroxyl group at the 4-position and free hydroxymethyl group at the 2-position allow selective reactions at specific sites, making it valuable in multi-step syntheses. The silyl ether and tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) protecting groups provide stability under various reaction conditions and can be removed selectively to reveal functional groups when needed. It is especially useful in the development of protease inhibitors and other therapeutic agents requiring precise stereochemistry. The cis configuration enhances its utility in stereoselective transformations, ensuring high enantiomeric purity in the final products.