Physical properties: It is a three-carbon carboxylic acid, a short-chain saturated fatty acid. Pure propionic acid is a colorless, corrosive liquid with a pungent odor.
Chemical properties: It has the chemical properties of general carboxylic acids and can form acyl chloride, acid anhydrides, esters, amides, nitriles and other compounds. α-Hydrogen atoms are easily replaced by halogens under the catalysis of phosphorus trichloride to generate α-halogenated propionic acid.

