ADBAQ and other aminoanthraquinones are key intermediates in the production of almost all anthraquinone dyes (HSDB 2009). Anthraquinones, including ADBAQ, are widely used as starting material for the manufacture of vat dyes, which are a class of water-insoluble dyes that can easily be reduced to a water-soluble and usually colorless form. In this form, they are readily impregnated into fibers and textiles. Oxidation then produces an insoluble colored form that is remarkably fast to washing, light, and chemicals. Vat dyes typically are used with cotton, wool, and cellulose acetate (NTP 1996).
