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 modified nucleosides and nucleotides, which are important in medicinal chemistry for targeting specific enzymes involved in DNA replication. Also employed in research settings to study enzyme inhibition and nucleic acid metabolism. Its structural features make it suitable for incorporation into oligonucleotides to alter stability and binding properties for therapeutic or diagnostic applications.