potassium 3,6-dichloropyridine-2-carboxylate

Description

Clopyralid potassium is a selective herbicide used to control weeds in turf. It is moderately persistent in the environment and, based on its physico-chemical properties, it has high potential to leach to groundwater. Clopyralid potassium tends to be low to moderately toxic to fauna and flora. It has a low mammalian toxicity as a skin, eye and respiratory irritant.

Production Methods

Clopyralid-potassium is produced through a streamlined industrial process built around generating high purity clopyralid acid and then converting it into a stable potassium salt. Manufacturers first create the acid core, typically via controlled chlorination and oxidation of a substituted pyridine precursor, followed by purification steps that remove regioisomers, over-chlorinated materials, and residual starting reagents. The purified acid is then neutralised with potassium hydroxide under carefully managed pH and temperature conditions to ensure complete salt formation without leaving unreacted acid or excess base. Once the neutralisation is complete, downstream operations focus on concentrating the solution, removing solvents, and crystallising or drying the potassium salt to meet agrochemical specifications.

Mechanism of action

Selective, systemic, absorbed through leaves and roots. Synthetic auxin.

Pesticide Type

Herbicide

Raw materials

Preparation Products