1,2-Dibromo-4,5-dimethylbenzene can be used in the synthesis of alkylamino zinc(II)phthalocyanines, with potential application as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy.It can also be used in the synthesis of 1,2-dibromo-4,5-bis(dibromomethyl)benzene via reaction with azobisisobutyronitrile.