Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: josh harvey on 22/05/2009 10:30:02

Title: What is Agent Orange?
Post by: josh harvey on 22/05/2009 10:30:02

josh harvey  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
I'd like to know what exactly is Agent Orange and how it kills plants.
 
Thanks,
Josh

What do you think?

Title: What is Agent Orange?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 22/05/2009 10:51:54

It is a roughly 1:1 mixture of two phenoxyl herbicides in iso-octyl ester form, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Orange#Description

Title: What is Agent Orange?
Post by: chris on 28/05/2009 04:26:28

What was the history behind its use?

Title: What is Agent Orange?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 28/05/2009 06:39:49

The original purpose of Agent Orange was to deny an enemy cover and concealment in dense terrain by destroying the trees and bushes where the enemy could hide. The product "Agent Orange" (a code name for the orange band that was used to mark the drums it was stored in, was principally effective against broad-leaf foliage, such as the dense jungle-like terrain found in Southeast Asia).