Novel glycylmethylphosphinic acid derivatives, process for their production and use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel herbicidally active and plant growth-regulating glycylmethylphosphinic acid derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents hydrogen, --CH.sub.2 COOH or an easily removable radical (e.g. benzyl, tert-butyl), R' represents a --OH or --OR.sub.1 group, in which R.sub.1 is a cation, a lower aliphatic radical, cycloalkyl or NH.sub.2, R" represents hydrogen, a cation or lower alkyl and R'" represents optionally substituted alkyl or phenyl. These compounds are obtained by reacting a N-substituted glycine HOOC--CH.sub.2 --NH--R with formaldehyde and a phosphonous acid ##STR2## in a strongly acid solution and optionally removing the radical R by catalytic hydrogenation or with HBr. The compounds of the formula I are used as active ingredients of compositions especially for the post-emergent control of weeds or for inhibiting plant growth.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.