The commercial production of 2,4-D potassium begins with purified 2,4-D acid, obtained via the standard phenoxyacetic acid route involving chlorination of phenol and etherification with monochloroacetic acid. Once isolated, the free acid is dissolved in water or a mixed solvent and neutralised with potassium hydroxide, forming the potassium carboxylate salt under controlled pH and temperature to prevent excess base or unreacted acid.
Selective, systemic, absorbed through roots and increases biosynthesis and production of ethylene causing uncontrolled cell division and so damages vascular tissue. Synthetic auxin.
