Crotonaldehyde has the aldehydic group at the C-1 position and −C=C− at the position at C-2 with 4 carbon atoms in the parent chain, thus the name is But-2-en-1-al.
Crotonaldehyde is mainly used in the manufacture of sorbic acid, which is a yeast and mold inhibitor. Crotonaldehyde has been used as a warning agent in fuels, as alcohol denaturant, as stabilizer for tetraethyl-lead, in the preparation of rubber accelerators, and in leather tanning.
Crotonaldehyde, stabilized appears as a clear colorless to straw colored liquid with a penetrating pungent odor.
Very toxic by inhalation.
May polymerize with the release of heat under exposure to heat or contamination. If polymerization takes place inside a container, the container may rupture violently.
Less dense than water. Vapors heavier than air.