Used as a dye intermediate in the textile industry, particularly for producing anthraquinone-based dyes that exhibit good light and wash fastness. It imparts shades of red, orange, and brown to fabrics such as cotton, wool, and silk. Also employed in the synthesis of vat dyes, where it undergoes reduction to a soluble form before application and is then oxidized back to the insoluble pigment on the fiber. Additionally, it finds use in the manufacture of specialty pigments for inks and coatings due to its stability and color strength. Some derivatives are explored for biological activity, including antimicrobial and anticancer properties, though industrial use remains primarily in dye chemistry.