Used as a key chiral intermediate in the synthesis of antiviral agents, particularly nucleoside analogs like islatravir. Its stereochemistry enables selective glycosylation reactions, making it valuable in constructing the sugar moiety of bioactive molecules. The presence of the methanesulfonate group allows for efficient displacement with nucleophiles, facilitating carbon-carbon or carbon-heteroatom bond formation in late-stage intermediates. Commonly employed in pharmaceutical research for developing reverse transcriptase inhibitors and other therapeutics targeting viral replication.