1,5-Dihydroxyanthracene-9,10-dione is a naturally occurring anthraquinone derivative characterized by two hydroxyl groups at positions 1 and 5 on the anthraquinone core. It is a yellow to orange crystalline solid with the molecular formula C14H8O4 and a molecular weight of 240.21 g/mol. This compound is structurally related to other dihydroxyanthraquinones found in plants and fungi. Its primary applications lie in the pharmaceutical and material science fields. In pharmaceutical research, it serves as a key intermediate for synthesizing bioactive molecules, including potential anticancer agents and laxatives, due to its ability to intercalate DNA or modulate enzyme activity. Additionally, it is widely used as a precursor for anthraquinone-based dyes and pigments, contributing to the production of colorants for textiles, plastics, and inks. In material chemistry, it is explored as a building block for organic semiconductors and photoelectric materials, such as in dye-sensitized solar cells or organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), owing to its conjugated ж╨-system and redox activity. The compound is stable under normal conditions but should be handled with care due to potential irritant properties. It is commercially available as a research chemical and industrial intermediate, with applications extending to analytical chemistry as a standard for chromatographic methods.