Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of biologically active compounds, particularly in the development of pharmaceuticals. Its chiral structure makes it valuable in producing enantioselective drugs, where the spatial arrangement influences efficacy. Commonly employed in the preparation of antiviral and antitumor agents due to its ability to mimic sugar moieties in nucleoside analogs. Also utilized in the design of enzyme inhibitors, leveraging its cyclic ether backbone to enhance binding affinity. Its hydroxyl group allows for easy functionalization, enabling incorporation into larger molecular frameworks during drug discovery and process chemistry.