It is a colourless liquid that crystallises to give silky crystals.

It is soluble in water and possesses an odor like that of acetic acid.

[4][5] It is prepared commercially by oxidizing propargyl alcohol at a lead electrode.

[5] It forms a characteristic explosive solid upon treatment to its aqueous solution with ammoniacal silver nitrate.

[5] An amorphous explosive precipitate forms with ammoniacal cuprous chloride.