4-nitrophenol is an intermediate in the synthesis of paracetamol. It is reduced to 4-aminophenol, then acetylated with acetic anhydride.[5]
4-nitrophenol is used as the precursor for the preparation of phenetidine and acetophenetidine, indicators, and raw materials for fungicides. Bioaccumulation of this compound rarely occurs.
In peptide synthesis, carboxylate ester derivatives of 4-nitrophenol may serve as activated components for construction of amide moieties.
It is used as a pH indicator, turning from colorless or pale yellow to a bright yellow at pH greater than 6