A colorless or white solid, it is a bifunctional compound derived via the benzidine rearrangement from o-anisidine.

o-Dianisidine is a precursor to some azo dyes by formation of the bis(diazonium) derivative, which is coupled to diverse aromatic compounds.

Some commercial dyes derived from o-dianisidine include C. I.

Where the ROOR' can be hydrogen peroxide, and the electron donor be o-dianisidine.

The manufacture and degradation of o-dianisidine, like other benzidene derivatives, has attracted regulatory attention.