The southern emission-line star HD 144432 has received considerable attention due to its relative brightness ( V \sim 8.17 ) , its late spectral type ( late A-type or perhaps early F ) and its relative isolation from a bona-fide active star formation region .
We present new imaging and spectroscopic data of this star , which in the past has been classified as both evolved ( post-AGB ) object and an isolated Herbig Ae/Be star .
We confirm the presence of a faint companion source located 1.4″ north , which appears physically associated with HD 144432 .
New infrared spectroscopy reveals this companion to be a late-type ( early-mid K ) star , devoid of any emission lines .
Furthermore , we confirm the pre-main sequence nature of this object , report the detection of Li i 6707.8 Å absorption toward the HD 144432 system , and its apparent association with Sco OB2-2 located at 145 pc .