What are the main uses of 4-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-methoxyphenol (CAS: 498-00-0)?

4-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-methoxyphenol is primarily used in pharmaceuticals as an intermediate for drug synthesis. It also finds applications in the production of antioxidants, flavor compounds, and specialty chemicals. In research, it is utilized for studying chemical reactivity and biological activities due to its functional group versatility.