A popular procedure uses potassium hydride as the base:[4] A trace of methanol is required.

It has also been generated (and used in situ) using lithium diisopropylamide under anhydrous conditions[5] as well as potassium hydroxide.

[6] Dichloroacetylene can occur and be stable in air at concentrations of up to 200 parts per million if certain other compounds, such as ether, with which it forms an azeotrope (boiling point of 32 °C), and trichloroethylene,[7] are also present.

Inhalation of dichloroacetylene also causes benign tumors of the livers and kidneys of rats.

[15] It is unsafe to store dichloroacetylene in close proximity to potassium, sodium, or aluminium powder.