Diphenylmethanol

Diphenylmethanol, (C₆H₅)₂CHOH (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, antihypertensive agents and antiallergenic agents. It is used in the synthesis of Modafinil and the Benzhydryl group is present in the structure of many histamine H1 antagonists. Benzhydrol is also used in the production of agrochemicals as well as other organic compounds and as a terminating group in polymerizations.