Nonanoic acid is a colorless oily liquid with an unpleasant, rancid odor.
[2] Alternatively, pelargonic acid can be produced in a two-step process beginning with coupled dimerization and hydroesterification of 1,3-butadiene.
This step produces a doubly unsaturated C9-ester, which can be hydrogenated to give esters of pelargonic acid.
It is commonly used in conjunction with glyphosate, a non-selective herbicide, for a quick burn-down effect in the control of weeds in turfgrass.
It works by causing leaks in plant cell membranes, allowing chlorophyll molecules to escape the chloroplast.