What is "diphenylmethanol"

n. (context organic compound English) A secondary alcohol used in perfume and pharmaceutical manufacture, an irritant to the eyes, skin and respiratory system.

Diphenylmethanol, (CH)CHOH (also known as benzhydrol), is a secondary alcohol with a relative molecular mass of 184.23 g/mol. It has a melting point of 69 °C and a boiling point of 298 °C.

It has uses in perfume and pharmaceutical manufacture. In perfumery it is used as a fixative. In pharmaceutical manufacture it is used in the synthesis of antihistamines / antiallergenic agents and antihypertensive agents . It is used in the synthesis of Modafinil and the Benzhydryl group is present in the structure of many histamine H1 antagonists like diphenylhydramine. Benzhydrol is also used in the production of agrochemicals as well as other organic compounds and as a terminating group in polymerizations.

Diphenylmethanol is an irritant to the eyes, skin and respiratory system.