The molecule is a monohydroxycinnamic acid that is 4-hydroxycinnamic acid in which the hydrogen alpha- to the carboxy group is replaced by a cyano group. It is used as a matrix in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry for the analysis of peptides and oligonucleotides. It has a role as a MALDI matrix material. It is a nitrile, a member of phenols and a monohydroxycinnamic acid.
(E)-2-cyano-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid