It is a characteristically and unpleasantly smelling[4] colorless liquid, which decomposes at 121 °C, below its boiling point.

It is shock-sensitive and burns with a clean flame producing water vapor, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen gas.

The principal current use of propylene glycol dinitrate is as a propellant in Otto Fuel II, together with 2-nitrodiphenylamine and dibutyl sebacate.

[3] [5] Nitrates of polyhydric alcohols, of which propylene glycol dinitrate is an example, have been used in medicine for the treatment of angina pectoris, and as explosives since the mid-nineteenth century.

PGDN affects blood pressure, causes respiratory toxicity, damages liver and kidneys, distorts vision, causes methoglobinuria, and can cause headache and lack of coordination.