It is a white, volatile solid that dissolves in organic solvents.

[1] Although samples explode above 80 °C, diiodoacetylene is the most readily handled of the dihaloacetylenes.

[2] As confirmed by X-ray crystallography, diiodoacetylene is linear.

[3] It is however a shock, heat and friction sensitive compound.

Like other haloalkynes, diiodoacetylene is a strong halogen bond donor.