Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and biologically active compounds. Its hydroxyl and ester functional groups allow for further chemical modifications, making it valuable in the preparation of intermediates for drugs, especially in the development of antiviral and antitumor agents. Commonly employed in asymmetric synthesis due to its stereochemical purity, enabling the creation of enantiomerically defined molecules. Also utilized in the production of fine chemicals and specialty polymers where controlled stereochemistry is required.