1. Hydrogen Peroxide Production

This is its most important and core industrial application. In the “anthraquinone process,” it serves as a working carrier, producing hydrogen peroxide through a reversible hydrogenation and oxidation cycle. The vast majority of hydrogen peroxide plants in China use this process.

2. Photochemical Initiation and Curing

As a photoinitiator or photosensitizer, it is widely used in ultraviolet (UV) curing systems, such as UV coatings, inks, adhesives, and UV-curable resins. It absorbs ultraviolet light to generate free radicals, initiating monomer polymerization and curing.

3. Dye Industry

As a dye intermediate, it is used to synthesize other complex dye compounds.

4. Photosensitive Materials

Used as a photosensitizer in photosensitive resins.

5. Polymer Materials

Used as a photosensitive polymerization initiator and can be used to prepare photodegradable films.

6. Other Potential Applications

Some literature mentions its application in agricultural fertilizer preparation. Recent studies have found that it has inhibitory effects on tumors, making it a potential pharmaceutical intermediate.