2-Cyano-4'-methylbiphenyl is a building block of the angiotensin II inhibitors for the treatment of hypertension known as the ‘Sartan’ family, like Irbesartan and it is an intermediate in the synthesis of glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitors with a selective sting for glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha. 2-Cyano-4'-methylbiphenyl is a starting compound for the synthesis of substituted biphenyl tetrazole compounds with antimicrobial activity.