O-hydroxybenzonitrile, commonly known as salicylnitrile, is a grayish white powdery solid, very pungent odor, a small amount can make people breathe affected, the smell is bitter; If a small amount of salicylonitrile is opened in the absence of ventilation, the smell can quickly spread throughout the room; Therefore, it is necessary to take protective measures when operating to reduce the stimulation of the respiratory tract: used as an intermediate for organic synthesis of bunilol and bactericide. It has certain water solubility, Pka=7.17, and is unstable to strong alkalis and oxidants. O-hydroxybenzonitrile can be used as a medical intermediate to synthesize the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris drug buniolol hydrochloride, as a coating drug intermediate, can be synthesized fungicide shusicester, in addition, can also be synthesized a variety of spices and liquid crystal materials.

It can be used as a pharmaceutical intermediate and can be synthesized to treat hypertension and angina pectoris. As a pesticide intermediate, it can be synthesized fungicide pyrimidin, in addition, it can also be synthesized a variety of spices and liquid crystal materials. It is used to synthesize CDK/GSK-3 inhibitors as a therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease.