4-tert-Butylbenzaldehyde is an aromatic aldehyde and an important intermediate for the synthesis of synthetic aroma compounds.

4-tert-Butylbenzaldehyde is notable as a rare example of industrial-scale electrochemistry.

It is produced by BASF and Givaudan (typically as its methanol acetal) through a double anodic oxidation of 4-tert-butyltoluene on greater than 10,000 ton per year scale.

[2][3] Aldol condensation with either propionaldehyde or acetaldehyde, followed by hydrogenation, gives the fragrance compounds lilial and bourgeonal, respectively.