1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydroxy-anthraquinone (rufigallol) and its metal–organic complex (rufigallol-Li/Ni, R-LN) were both synthesized. The electrochemical performance investigation of rufigallol and R-LN as anodes for lithium ion batteries indicates that pure rufigallol delivers high initial capacity but poor cycling stability, by contrast, the R-LN complex exhibits high initial capacity and excellent cycling stability.