It is a black powder that is soluble in polar organic solvents, but insoluble in water.

It is used as a dye for adding greenish coloring to cosmetics and medications.

According to X-ray crystallography, the anthroquinone portion of the molecule is planar.

Both amine protons form hydrogen bonds to the carbonyls.

[2] This dye is a component in some smoke grenades, and questions have been raised about its toxicity.