Glutaric acid is a water-soluble saturated dicarboxylic acid. The dicarboxylic acid is a combustible, light-sensitive, colourless and almost odourless solid. It is easily soluble in water.
Glutaric acid is a decomposition product of lysine. It occurs naturally, for example, in the juice of unripe sugar beet.
The salts and esters of glutaric acid are called glutarates.