The compound is usually sold as a mixture of the E- and Z-isomers, which differ with respect to the relative position of the methyl and formyl groups.

This lachrymatory liquid is moderately soluble in water and miscible in organic solvents.

As an unsaturated aldehyde, crotonaldehyde is a versatile intermediate in organic synthesis.

A prominent industrial example is the crossed aldol condensation with diethyl ketone to give trimethylcyclohexenone, this can be easily converted to trimethylhydroquinone, which is a precursor to the vitamin E.[8] Other derivatives include crotonic acid, 3-methoxybutanol and the food preservative Sorbic acid.

Condensation with two equivalents of urea gives a pyrimidine derivative that is employed as a controlled-release fertilizer.