Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of thiamine (vitamin B1), this compound plays an important role in pharmaceutical and nutritional industries. Its structure allows for efficient construction of the thiazole ring system found in thiamine, making it valuable in large-scale vitamin production. It is also explored in the development of other bioactive molecules due to its reactive functional groups, which enable further chemical modifications. Its ester and hydroxyl groups facilitate derivatization for use in drug design and synthesis of heterocyclic compounds with potential therapeutic activity.