Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of other dexamethasone derivatives, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry for developing corticosteroids with modified activity. Its mesylate group facilitates nucleophilic substitution reactions, enabling the introduction of various functional groups at the C-21 position. This compound is valuable in medicinal chemistry for optimizing pharmacokinetic properties such as solubility, bioavailability, and tissue penetration in anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents.