Malononitrile appears as a white-colored crystalline solid. Denser than water and soluble in water. Toxic by ingestion and may severely irritate skin and eyes. May polymerize violently if exposed to temperatures above 266°F. Used to make other chemicals.Malononitrile is a dinitrile that is methane substituted by two cyano groups. It is a dinitrile and an aliphatic nitrile.

Malononitrile is a raw material for the preparation of 2-amino-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine and 2-chloro-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine. It is also used in the production of sulfonylurea herbicides such as bensulfuron-methyl and pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, as well as the herbicide bispyribac‑sodium.In medicine, it is used to manufacture diuretics and synthesize a series of important pharmaceuticals including vitamin B1, methotrexate, and triamterene. It can also be used as an extractant for gold.