The molecule is an imine that is 4-methylidenecyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-imine in which both the hydrogens of the methylidene group are replaced by 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl groups. The hydrochloride salt is the histological dye 'Methyl violet 2B'. It has a role as an antineoplastic agent, an EC 2.7.10.2 (non-specific protein-tyrosine kinase) inhibitor, a fluorochrome and a histological dye. It is an imine, a substituted aniline and a tertiary amino compound. It is a conjugate base of a Methyl violet 2B(1+).
4-[[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-(4-iminocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene)methyl]-N,N-dimethylaniline