This chemical is primarily utilized in biochemical research, particularly in the study of glycosylation processes and carbohydrate metabolism. It serves as a valuable tool for probing enzyme activities, especially glycosyltransferases and glycosidases, due to its structural similarity to natural sugars. Additionally, it is employed in the development of glycoconjugates and glycoproteins, aiding in the understanding of cell-surface interactions and signaling pathways. Its alkyne functional group allows for click chemistry applications, enabling efficient labeling and detection in biological systems. This makes it useful in imaging studies and the development of diagnostic probes.