It is a dark red solid with low solubility in aromatic solvents.

The compound has attracted much interest as an organic semiconductor.

[2] PTCDA consists of a perylene core to which two anhydride groups have been attached, one at either side.

It occurs in two crystalline forms, α and β.

Their lattice parameters are: The main industrial use of PTCDA is as a precursor to Rylene dyes.