3-Deoxy-1,2-O-(1-methylethylidene)-α-D-ribo-hexofuranose is an intermediate in synthesizing 6R,7S,8aR-Glucosepane Tri-TFA Salt (G595310), one of the eight diastereomers of glucosepane. Glucosepane is a structurally complex protein posttranslational modification that is believed to exist in all living organisms. Research in humans suggests that glucosepane plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of both diabetes and human aging.