Azido-erythro-sphingosine serves as an intermediate for synthesizing lipid molecules with two hydroxyl groups and a terminal azide group. The azide group (N3) can react with alkynes, BCN, and DBCO through click chemistry. Hydroxyl groups may be further derivatized or replaced by other reactive functional groups. Azido-erythro-sphingosine is a derivative of sphingosine, a selective inhibitor of protein kinase C activity and phorbol dibutyrate binding in vitro in human platelets.