Used as a chiral building block in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of complex natural products and pharmaceuticals. Its strained epoxide ring undergoes regioselective and stereoselective ring-opening reactions with nucleophiles, enabling the formation of carbon–oxygen and carbon–carbon bonds with high stereocontrol. Commonly employed in asymmetric synthesis to introduce oxygen-containing functional groups in a stereodefined manner. Also utilized in the synthesis of protected glycidols and as an intermediate in the production of beta-blockers and other bioactive molecules requiring precise stereochemistry.