Dinoseb trolamine was produced through the same two-stage logic that underpinned all dinoseb salts: first generate the parent nitrophenol, then neutralise it with the chosen base. Manufacturers began with mixed-acid nitration of 2-tert-butylphenol to obtain technical dinoseb, followed by careful purification to strip out residual acids and minimise the oxidative darkening that nitrophenols undergo if impurities remain. The purified dinoseb was then reacted with triethanolamine, commonly called “trolamine”, in an aqueous or hydroalcoholic medium.
Inhibits respiratory electron transport, and uncouples oxidative phosphorylation - membrane disruption. Selective, non-systemic. Contact action.
