Malonic acid is used to prepare barbiturates. Its derivative diethylmalonate is used in Knoevenagel condensation reactions as well as reacts with acetone to form Meldrum's acid. It is used to control acidity, preservative additive for foods and as an excipient in pharmaceutical formulation. It acts as a precursor to polyesters and as an active component in alkyd resins. Further, it is used as a building block in chemical synthesis. In addition to this, it is used to prepare starch-based resin.
