The salt's anion consists of two carbon atoms linked by a triple bond, thus, its structure is [Ag+]2[−C≡C−].

[4] The double salt is formed in acidic or neutral silver nitrate solutions.

Performing the synthesis in basic ammonia solution does not allow the double salt to form, producing pure silver acetylide.

To properly form the double salt, acetylene gas is passed through dilute silver nitrate and nitric acid solution.

Instead of the conventional synthesis of passing acetylene gas through silver nitrate solution, a purer and whiter precipitate can be formed by passing acetylene gas through acetone and adding the acetylene solution drop-wise to a dilute silver nitrate and nitric acid solution.