Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the development of pharmaceuticals targeting purine-based pathways. It serves as a building block in the preparation of modified nucleosides and nucleotides, which are important in antiviral and anticancer drug research. Its acetyl group allows for selective functionalization, making it valuable in the design of kinase inhibitors and other bioactive molecules. Also employed in studies related to purine metabolism and DNA/RNA analogs due to its structural similarity to natural purines.