It is a heavy, nonflammable, transparent pale yellow liquid with a chloroform-like odour.

[1] DCIM is soluble in organic solvents like acetone, diethyl ether, ethanol and benzene.

It has been detected in disinfected tap water and is considered to be a contaminant.

Reaction of chloroform with sodium iodide[5] or iodoethane[6] gives dichloroiodomethane.

Older methods include distillation of iodoform with phosphorus pentachloride or mercuric chloride.