4-Pentenoic acid also known as allyl acetic acid or 4-pentenate belongs to the class of organic compounds known as straight chain fatty acids. These are fatty acids with a straight aliphatic chain. 4-Pentenoic acid is a very hydrophobic molecule practically insoluble (in water) and relatively neutral.

In cells D-glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) is generated when glucose is phosphorylated by hexokinase or glucokinase or by the conversion of glucose-1-phosphate by phosphoglucomutase during glycogenolysis. G6P lies at the beginning of both glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathways. It also can be stored as glycogen when blood glucose levels are high.

Ronomilast (ELB353) can be used in the study of obstructive pulmonary disease.