Used as a key ligand precursor in coordination chemistry for synthesizing Schiff base metal complexes macrocyclic receptors and fluorescent sensors also employed in organic electronics and as a cross-linking agent in polymer chemistry.

The symmetrical dialdehyde with ortho-hydroxy groups facilitates formation of rigid planar chelating ligands for transition metals via condensation with amines enabling construction of salen-type complexes and compartmental ligands for catalysis and mol

25-Dihydroxyterephthalaldehyde (CHO MW 166.13 gmol) is a benzene dialdehyde derivative with hydroxyl groups ortho to both aldehyde functionalities at positions 2 and 5 appearing as a light yellow to orange crystalline powder exhibiting strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding.