Used as a chiral building block in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Its rigid tetrahydrofuran ring with defined stereochemistry makes it valuable for constructing stereoselective molecules. Commonly employed in the development of protease inhibitors and antiviral agents. Also serves as a precursor in the synthesis of natural products and bioactive compounds where diol functionality enables further chemical modifications such as cyclization or protection/deprotection strategies.