It is colorless or yellowish liquid and can be dissolved in water.

In dyeing baths, as mordant in printing woolen goods, solvent for water-insoluble dyes (alcohol-soluble induline, nigrosine, spirit-blue); reducing chromates in mordanting wool; manufacturing cheese, confectionery; acidulant in beverages; for acidulating worts in brewing, for removing Clostridium butyricum in manuf of yeast; dehairing, plumping, and decalcifying hides; solvent for cellulose formate; flux for soft solder; manufacturing lactates which are used in food products.