5-Sulfosalicylic acid dihydrate is a sulfonated salicylic acid derivative. Strong association with a range of metals makes 5-Sulfosalicylic acid useful as a metal scavenger. It forms proton-transfer dye complexes with diazo compounds such as 4-(phenyldiazenyl)aniline. Proteins are precipitated upon complexation with 5-Sulfosalicylic acid, allowing qualitative analysis of the resultant turbidity formed in a sample by these complexes leaving solution. Protein precipitation with 5-Sulfosalicylic acid has also been employed as a preparative measure for removing proteins prior to chromatographic analysis