Crystalline isophthalic acid is built up from molecules connected by hydrogen bonds, forming infinite chains.

Isophthalic acid is produced on the billion kilogram per year scale by oxidizing meta-xylene using oxygen.

The world's largest producer of isophthalic acid is Lotte Chemical Corporation.

The barium salt, as its hexahydrate, is very soluble in water (a distinction between phthalic and terephthalic acids).

Aromatic dicarboxylic acids are used as precursors (in the form of acyl chlorides) to commercially important polymers, e.g. the fire-resistant material Nomex.