Used in biochemical research as a phosphate analog to study enzyme mechanisms, particularly in carbohydrate metabolism pathways. Its structure mimics key intermediates in metabolic reactions, making it valuable for inhibiting specific dehydrogenases and kinases. Often employed in studies involving glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway regulation. Also utilized in crystallography to obtain structural insights into active sites of phosphoryl-transferring enzymes due to barium’s heavy atom properties.