Malonic acid is widely used in the production of barbiturates, which are compounds with sedative and hypnotic properties, making it important in the pharmaceutical industry. It also serves as a precursor in the synthesis of vitamins, such as B1 and B6, and other fine chemicals. In the field of agriculture, malonic acid is utilized in the formulation of certain herbicides and plant growth regulators. Additionally, it plays a role in electroplating processes, where it acts as a buffering agent to maintain pH stability. In organic chemistry, malonic acid is a key component in the malonic ester synthesis, a method for creating carboxylic acids and other derivatives. Its ability to form stable complexes with metals also makes it useful in analytical chemistry for metal ion detection and separation.