Benzilic acid is used in organic synthesis and laboratory experiments particularly in studying rearrangement reactions. It also serves as an intermediate in the production of certain pharmaceuticals and chemical compounds.

The purpose of benzilic acid is to act as a useful intermediate and model compound in chemical reactions helping in the synthesis of medicinal and industrial products as well as in understanding reaction mechanisms.

Benzilic acid is an organic compound with the formula CHO. It is a white crystalline solid containing both hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional groups typically formed from benzil through the benzilic acid rearrangement.