It is an orange-red solid that is soluble in polar organic solvents but not in water.

Its glycoside (ether-linked to sugar), called dryophantin, is found in nutgalls and oak barks.

Purpurogallin can be prepared by oxidation of pyrogallol with sodium periodate.

[4] Purpurogallin, obtained by oxidation of pyrogallol, attracted attention for dyeing.

Arthur George Perkin (son of William Henry Perkin, discoverer of the dye mauvine) reported early characterization including the formation of trimethyl ether and the triacetate..[5]