White needle shaped crystals or monoclinic prisms with a spicy taste. Flammable. Low toxicity. Stable in the air, but gradually changes color when exposed to light. Melting point 159 ℃. The relative density is 1.443. Boiling point 211 ℃. Sublimation at 76 ℃. Slightly soluble in water, soluble in acetone, turpentine, ethanol, ether, benzene, and chloroform. Its aqueous solution undergoes an acidic reaction.

Used as a raw material for pharmaceuticals (such as aspirin), food preservatives, and spices. Used in the dye industry to produce media such as pure yellow, direct brown 3GN, and acidic chrome yellow. It can also be used as a rubber vulcanization retarder and disinfectant preservative.