Industrially, p-cresol is currently prepared mainly by a two-step route beginning with the sulfonation of toluene:[4] Basic hydrolysis of the sulfonate salt gives the sodium salt of the cresol: Other methods for the production of p-cresol include chlorination of toluene followed by hydrolysis.

The monoalkylated derivatives undergo coupling to give an extensive family of diphenol antioxidants.

It is excreted in feces and urine,[7] and is a component of human sweat that attracts female mosquitoes.

[11] Temporal glands secretion examination showed the presence of phenol and p-cresol during musth in male elephants.

[12][13] It is one of the very few compounds to attract the orchid bee Euglossa cyanura and has been used to capture and study the species.