The commercial production of 2,4-D-methylammonium begins with purified 2,4-D acid, which itself is obtained through 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 methylamine, forming the methylammonium salt under controlled pH and temperature to avoid excess amine 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.