Hydrogen Peroxide → Glyphosate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Thirty-nine parts of water and 39 parts of concentrated sulfuric acid were charged into a suitable reaction vessel and then 20 parts of N-(phosphonomethyl) iminodiacetic acid added. The mixture was heated to 80°C. and then 277 parts of a 35% hydrogen peroxide solution was added over a period of from 61/2 to 7 hours while maintaining the temperature at 77°-81°C. During the addition of the hydrogen peroxide, additional N-(phosphonomethyl) iminodiacetic acid was added in 20 part increments over a 4 hour period. When visual observation showed the reaction mass was clear, that is, it contained no suspended solids, a sample was taken for nuclear magnetic resonance spectra analysis. The reaction was then continued to be heated at 80°C. with stirring until nuclear magnetic resonance spectra analysis showed that the reaction was essentially complete. The mixture was then cooled at 0°C. overnight, centrifuged, washed with a small amount of water and dried under vacuum to yield approximately 100 parts of N-phosphonomethyl glycine.

Provenance & Evidence