ethephon

Also known as Chloroethylphosphonic acid, 2-Chloroethanephosphonic acid, 2-Cepa, 2-Chloroethylphosphonic acid, Chlorethephon

Ethephon is an organophosphorus compound with the formula . It is a colorless solid that is used as plant growth regulator.

Research

953 papers

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance ethephon.EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2023
Ethephon Poisoning: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes.Toxics · 2025
Ethephon-induced changes in antioxidants and phenolic compounds in anthocyanin-producing black carrot hairy root cultures.Journal of experimental botany · 2020
Ethephon promotes isoflavone accumulation in germinating soybeans by its acceleration of isoflavone biosynthetic pathway.Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB · 2023
Ethephon Reduces Maize Nitrogen Uptake but Improves Nitrogen Utilization in Zea mays L.Frontiers in plant science · 2021

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Wikidata facts

Mass: 143.974

Show 4 more facts

chemical formula: C₂H₆ClO₃P
melting point: 70
canonical SMILES: C(CCl)P(=O)(O)O
Commons category: Ethephon

Sources (4)

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Article

6 sections

Contents

Mechanism of action
Uses in various crops
Ripening
Sexual effects
Safety
References

Ethephon is an organophosphorus compound with the formula . It is a colorless solid that is used as plant growth regulator.

==Mechanism of action== Upon metabolism by the plant, it is converted into ethylene, a potent regulator of plant growth and ripeness. When applied in a plant that is in a vegetative stage, ethylene usually acts by hindering vegetative growth and inducing the start of the flowering stage. If applied in a later stage, it can accelerate the ripening of some fruits.