It is an intermediate product in catabolism of quinaldine in Arthrobacter sp., and is further metabolized to anthranilic acid.

[2][3] N-Acetylanthranilic acid can be synthesized from 2-bromoacetanilide via palladium-catalyzed carbonylation in tri-n-butylamine-water at 110–130 °C, under 3 atm of carbon monoxide.

[5] The fractured crystals have large electrical potentials between areas of high and low charge.

When the electrons suddenly migrate to neutralize these potentials, flashes of deep blue light are created.

In the United States, it is a Drug Enforcement Administration-controlled List I chemical,[6] because it has been used in the synthesis of methaqualone.