It is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor typical of ethers.

Dipropyl ether can be synthesized by reacting two molecules of n-propanol in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid (a strong acid) and heat, in the same way other symmetrical ethers may be formed.

[2] Antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene are often added to ethers to prevent this process.

[4] Due to the shock and light sensitive nature of organic peroxides, dipropyl ether should never be boiled or evaporated to dryness.

This concentrates peroxides that may be present, which can then detonate unexpectedly destroying the vessel in which they have deposited or igniting nearby flammable liquids.