Method of making phosphorus-containing compounds and products thereof

Abstract

A process for oxidizing a hydroxymethylphosphonic acid compound to produce a formylphosphonic acid compound is described. The oxidation reaction is carried out in the presence of an oxidant and a catalyst. For example, hydroxymethylphosphonic acid (HMPA) is oxidized by oxygen or hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a copper-containing catalyst to give formylphosphonic acid (FPA). Formylphosphonic acid can then be reacted with glycine to produce a condensation product which, upon hydrogenation, yields glyphosate. Glyphosate can be incorporated into various formulations for use as a herbicide. In addition to glycine, formylphosphonic acid can also be reacted with ammonia, ethanolamine, or other primary amines to form a precursor compound, which can be converted to glyphosate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.