Also known as benzhydrol, it is a white solid and the parent member of a large class of diaryl alcohols.

Diphenylmethanol may be prepared by a Grignard reaction between phenylmagnesium bromide and benzaldehyde[citation needed].

It is used in the synthesis of modafinil[4] 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.