蒸气压（20℃）0.373kPa，粘度5.2mPa·s，在低于-90℃时固化为玻璃体，蒸气与空气形成爆炸性混合物，爆炸极限1%-5.5%，能与多种有机溶剂混溶，微溶于水，20℃时在水中的溶解为1.9%。 4-甲基-2-戊醇是优良的中沸点溶剂。主要用作染料、石油、橡胶、树脂、石蜡、硝基纤维素和乙基纤维素等的溶剂，用作硝化纤维素漆的惰性溶剂，可增加涂料的光泽和平整性，改进泛红性能；在润滑油添加剂制造中用作溶剂等。用于有机合成的原料，矿物浮选洗剂，如萃取硅和硫酸铜矿；还可用于刹车液。 4-Methyl-2-pentanol is a member of the fragrance structural group, branched chain saturated alcohol. (^+)-4-Methyl-2-pentanol is employed as a solvent in organic synthesis, dyes and stains, natural resins and waxes. It is an additive to surface coatings. It finds applications in the manufacture of lube oil additives, zinc dialkyldithiophosphate, brake fluids. It is the precursor to some plasticizers and frother in mineral flotation. It acts as a corrosion inhibitor and also utilized in the characterization of volatile fraction of mono varietal wines and tar sand mining processes.