The title compound, C10H12O2, was synthesized as a candidate for further functionalization. The asymmetric unit comprises two independent molecules, both of which are situated on a center of symmetry. Both molecules are involved in a network of hydrogen bonding, with each alcohol group participating in one hydrogen bond as a donor and in a second hydrogen bond as an acceptor

The title compound, C12H8BrN, was prepared as a starting material for a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction with a pinacol ester. The torsion angle about the ring–methylene C—C bond is 30.7 (3)°, such that the N atom is displaced by 1.174 (4) Å from the plane of the naphthalene ring system.