Methods of Manufacturing
By chlorination of molten phenoxyacetic acid; from 2,4-dichlorophenol, sodium and ethyl chloroacetate followed by hydrolysis of ester.
2,4-D is produced commercially by chlorination of phenol to form 2,4-dichlorophenol, which reacts with monochloroacetic acid to form 2,4-D.
U.S. Exports
(1972) 3.18X10+9 G (2,4-D & SALTS & ESTERS)
(1978) 2.97X10+9 G (2,4-D INCL ESTERS & SALTS)
(1983) 4.65X10+9 G (2,4-D INCL ESTERS & SALTS)
(1985) 1.60X10+9 g
(1987) 8.74X10+6 lb
U.S. Imports
(1977) 1.14X10+9 G
(1982) 3.24X10+9 G
(1983) 9.89X10+6 lb
U.S. Production
(1978) 2.19X10+10 G-DEMAND (2,4-D INCL ESTERS & SALTS)
(1982) 2.05X10+10 G-DEMAND (2,4-D INCL ESTERS & SALTS)
(1991) Exceeded 5000 lb or US $5000 in value
(1946) 5.5 million lbs; (1950) 14 million lbs; (1960) 36 million lbs; (1964) 54 million lbs; (1990) 52-67 million lbs; (2001) 47 million lbs.
Consumption Patterns
HERBICIDE FOR PASTURE & RANGELAND, 26%; FOR WHEAT, 26%; FOR CORN, 14%; FOR OTHER GRAINS EXCEPT SORGHUM, 12%; FOR INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL USES, 11%; FOR LAWNS & TURF, 3%; FOR AQUATIC USES, 3%: FOR GRAIN SORGHUM, 3%; FOR OTHER FIELD CROPS-EG, CITRUS, FRUITS, NUTS, & VEGETABLES, 2%; (1982)
75% AS A SELECTIVE HERBICIDE FOR BROADLEAF WEEDS & BRUSH, ON SMALL GRAINS, CORN, SORGHUM, RICE, OTHER MINOR CROPS, & GRAZING LAND; 13% FOR INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL USE ON NON-CROPLAND; 6% BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ON NON-CROPLAND; 6% FOR HOME & GARDEN USE ON TURF (1972).
PASTURE & RANGELANDS, 26%; WHEAT, 26%; CORN, 14%; INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL USES, 11%; LAWNS & TURF, 4%; AQUATIC USES, 3%; GRAIN SORGHUM, 3%; RICE, 1%; OTHER GRAINS, 11%; OTHER FIELD CROPS-EG, DECIDUOUS NUTS & FRUITS, CITRUS, & VEGETABLES, 2% (1982).