It is a colorless solid although most samples appear tan.

Two other isomers of hydroxybenzaldehyde exist.

It has been prepared from 3-nitrobenzaldehyde in a sequence of nitro group reduction, diazotization of the amine, and hydrolysis.

[3][4] 3-hydroxybenzyl-alcohol dehydrogenase is an NADP-dependent enzyme that produces 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde from 3-hydroxybenzyl alcohol.

[5] 3-Hydroxybenzaldehyde exhibits vasculoprotective effects by lowering vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and endothelial cells inflammation.