White odorless powder or crystalline solid particles, with speical sourness that is as strong as 1.5 times of citric acid. It is soluble in ethanol (5.76g/100g,30℃), slightly soluble in water (0.63g/100ml,25℃) and in ether, and very slightly soluble in chloroform. It has no hygroscopicity, and will sublime at 200℃. Boiling point: 290℃ (decompose). It will turn to maleic anhydride at 230℃, and will generate DL-malic acid if boiled with water.