(4-Mercaptophenyl)methanol is primarily used in the field of organic synthesis and material science. Its unique structure, featuring both a thiol group and a hydroxyl group, makes it a valuable building block for the creation of complex molecules. It is often employed in the preparation of functionalized polymers and resins, where it can act as a cross-linking agent or a modifier to enhance material properties such as adhesion, flexibility, and chemical resistance. Additionally, it finds application in the development of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on surfaces, which are crucial in nanotechnology and sensor fabrication. The compound is also utilized in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, where its reactive groups can be tailored to produce specific biological activities. Furthermore, it serves as a precursor in the production of ligands for metal coordination chemistry, aiding in the design of catalysts and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).