Used in the synthesis of antiviral agents, particularly in the development of nucleoside analogs targeting RNA viruses such as hepatitis C virus. It serves as a key intermediate in creating modified nucleobases that inhibit viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases like NS5B, preventing viral replication. Its structural features, including the 2-(propylthio), 5-amino, and 6-chloro substituents on the pyrimidine ring, support binding to viral enzymes, making it valuable in the design of therapeutics for hepatitis C and other viral infections. These functional groups allow further functionalization, enabling optimization of biological activity and pharmacokinetic properties in drug candidates.