Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antiviral and anticancer agents. It serves as a building block in the preparation of pyrimidine-based compounds that exhibit biological activity. Its thiol group allows for easy modification and conjugation, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship studies. Also employed in the design of kinase inhibitors and other targeted therapies due to its ability to interact with specific enzyme active sites.