This white powder is soluble in alcohols and common organic solvents but is insoluble in water.

As an azo initiator, radicals resulting from AIBN have multiple benefits[2] over common organic peroxides.

The release of nitrogen gas pushes this decomposition forward due to the increase in entropy.

For instance, a mixture of styrene and maleic anhydride in toluene will react if heated, forming the copolymer upon addition of AIBN.

Pyrolysis of AIBN without a trap for the formed 2-cyanopropyl radicals results in the formation of tetramethylsuccinonitrile, which is highly toxic.