A white solid, degraded samples often appear grey to light brown solid [1] that are soluble in polar organic solvents.

1,5-Dihydroxynaphthalene is prepared from naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid by hydrolysis with strong base followed by acidification.

It couples with various aryl diazonium salts to give diazo dyes.

Oxidation with chromium trioxide gives juglone, a naturally occurring dye.

[2] In supramolecular chemistry, 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene is a popular reagent.