Dichlorobenzyl alcohol has broad-spectrum activity as an antimicrobial agent and is used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Dichlorobenzyl alcohol has antimicrobial effect against 115 strains of dental plaque. Dichlorobenzyl alcohol inhibited growth of microorganisms but showed highest activity against A. actinomycetemcomitans and Por. gingivalis, organisms related to juvenile and destructive forms of periodontitis. It is a common ingredient in throat lozenges such as Neo angin, Strepsils, Lorsept, and Gorpils. A throat lozenge containing amyl meta cresol and dichlorobenzyl alcohol has a direct virucidal effect on respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV).

Oleyl alcohol (also octadecenol or cis-9-octadecen-1-ol) is a non-ionic, unsaturated fatty alcohol. Oleyl alcohol is a long-chain aliphatic alcohol that occurs naturally in fish oils. It is used in such large-scale applications as the softening and lubrication of textile fabrics, and the production of carbon paper, stencil paper, and printing ink. Oleyl alcohol is also utilized as an antifoam agent and cutting lubricant. It also is a precursor for the preparation of its sulfuric ester derivatives, which are used in detergents and wetting agents. Oleyl alcohol has been incorporated into various formulations for drug delivery. Oleyl alcohol is found in a wide variety of products such as hair conditioners, foundations, eye makeup, skin moisturizers, skin cleansers and other skin care products. Oleyl alcohol helps to form emulsions and prevents an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components. It also reduces the tendency of finished products to generate foam when shaken. When used in the formulation of skin care products, Oleyl alcohol acts as a lubricant on the skin surface, which gives the skin a soft, smooth appearance.

Benzyl chloride, or α-chlorotoluene, is a reactive organochlorine compound that is a widely used chemical building block. Industrially, benzyl chloride is the precursor to benzyl esters which are used as plasticizers, flavorants, and perfumes. Phenylacetic acid, a precursor to pharmaceuticals, is produced from benzyl cyanide, which is generated by treatment of benzyl chloride with sodium cyanide. Quaternary ammonium salts, used as surfactants, are readily formed by alkylation of tertiary amines with benzyl chloride. Benzyl chloride is an alkylating agent with very irritating properties to the skin. Indicative of its high reactivity (relative to alkyl chlorides), benzyl chloride reacts with water in a hydrolysis reaction to form benzyl alcohol and hydrochloric acid. In contact with mucous membranes, hydrolysis produces hydrochloric acid. Thus, benzyl chloride is a lachrymator and has been used in chemical warfare.

Tert-Butyl alcohol (TBA), also called tert-butanol, an important intermediate in industrial chemical synthesis, is poorly absorbed through skin, but is rapidly absorbed upon inhalation or ingestion and distributed to tissues throughout the body. There is no much information related to the toxicity and pharmacological properties of tert-butanol in humans and animals. However, the recently published article has shown that TBA-associated non-neoplastic and neoplastic histopathological changes in the rat's kidney could be explained by alpha2u-globulin nephropathy (α2u-gN) or enhanced chronic progressive nephropathy (CPN), neither of which are relevant to humans.

Sodium butoxide (Sodium butanolate) is used in wide range of applications in organic synthesis; agrochemicals; pharmaceuticals, colorants and aroma chemicals. It can also be used in manufacturing detergents, as a catalyst in polymerization and isomerizations.