Used as a key intermediate in the industrial production of hydrogen peroxide via the anthraquinone process. It undergoes catalytic hydrogenation to form the corresponding hydroquinone, which is then oxidized back to regenerate the quinone while producing hydrogen peroxide as a byproduct. Its structure allows for efficient redox cycling, making it suitable for continuous large-scale operations. Also employed in some dye synthesis and as a photoinitiator in polymerization reactions due to its ability to generate free radicals under UV light.