The structure of pisatin consists of a pterocarpan backbone and is distinguishable by the hydroxyl group on the nonaromatic portion of the molecule.

Pisatin is stable in neutral or slightly basic solutions and loses water in the presence of acid to form anhydropisatin.

In addition, many microbial species have been found to have the ability to detoxify pisatin, but the most virulent strains have the highest rate of demethylation.

This molecule can then follow one of two paths, both of which include the loss of water[17] and a methylation[18][19] to produce formononetin.

This product then undergoes hydroxylation to form calycosin,[20] followed by the formation of a dioxolane ring.