Benzaldehyde appears as a clear colorless to yellow liquid with a bitter almond odor. Flash point near 145°F. More denser than water and insoluble in water. Hence sinks in water. Vapors are heavier than air. The primary hazard is to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment. Easily penetrates the soil to contaminate groundwater and nearby waterways. Used in flavoring and perfume making.Benzaldehyde is an aromatic aldehyde bearing a single formyl group with an almond odor. Benzaldehyde can be derived from natural sources and is widely used by the chemical industry in the preparation of various aniline dyes, perfumes, flavorings, and pharmaceuticals.

Benzaldehyde is widely used as an important chemical raw material: for the production of lauraldehyde, lauric acid, phenylacetaldehyde, benzyl benzoate, etc. It is also used as a flavor and fragrance, and as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals, dyes and perfumes. According to GB 2760--1996, it is a provisionally permitted food flavoring agent.