It is used as a fungicide, as a wood preservative, and an intermediate in the preparation of flame retardants.

Although natural TBP has been identified in ocean sediments as a metabolite of marine fauna,[5] the commercial product is prepared industrially.

[2] TBP can be prepared by the controlled reaction of elemental bromine with phenol:[3] The predominant use of TBP is as an intermediate in the preparation of flame retardants such as brominated epoxy resins.

[6][7] The bismuth salt is the active ingredient in Xeroform[clarification needed] dressing.

[8] Microbial metabolism in products treated with TBP is known to produce 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA),[9] which has a musty odor.