Malonic acid is a dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula C₃H₄O₄. It consists of two carboxyl groups (-COOH) attached to a three-carbon chain. This compound is commonly used in organic synthesis and can serve as a building block for various chemical reactions, including the production of malonic esters. In nature, malonic acid is found in small amounts in certain plants and is involved in the Krebs cycle, a crucial metabolic pathway for energy production in living organisms. It can also be used in the preparation of pharmaceuticals and as a reagent in laboratory settings.