Method for the synthesis of n-(phosphonomethyl)glycine

Abstract

The present invention is related to a new method for the synthesis of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine or one of its derivatives selected from the group consisting of its salts, its phosphonate esters and its phosphonate ester salts, comprising the steps of: a) forming a reaction mixture comprising an acid catalyst, N,N′-bis(carboxymethyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine and a compound comprising one or more P—O—P anhydride moieties, wherein said moieties comprise one P atom at the oxidation state (+111) and the other P atom at the oxidation state (+111) or (+V), to form N,N′-bis(phosphonomethyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine, its dehydrated forms or their phosphonate esters; b) hydrolyzing the reaction mixture to form N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine or one of its derivatives selected from the group consisting of its salts, its phosphonate esters and its phosphonate ester salts.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.