Abstract: An improved process is disclosed to prepare an carboxylic acid salt. According to the process, an aqueous solution of an alcohol is contacted with an alkali metal hydroxide in the presence of an effective amount of a copper catalyst that contains from about 50 parts per million to about 10,000 parts per million of an element selected from the group consisting of chromium, titanium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, vanadium, molybdenum, manganese, tungsten, cobalt, nickel and mixtures thereof. Raney copper is preferred.

Abstract: A herbicidal composition is provided which is substantially non-irritant to the eyes and which comprises a stable aqueous concentrate solution of one or more agriculturally acceptable salts-of N-phosphonomethylglycine and a surfactant represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group having from about 6 to about 14 carbon atoms, R.sup.1 is ethyl, propyl, or a mixture of ethyl and propyl, the sum of n and m is between about 5 and about 50, R.sup.2 is an alkyl group with 1-4 carbon atoms, X is an agriculturally acceptable anion, and the weight ratio of surfactant to N-phosphonomethylglycine (expressed as the acid equivalent) is between about 1:5 and about 5:1.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed to prepare an amino carboxylic acid salt. According to the process, an aqueous solution of an amino alcohol is contacted with an alkali metal hydroxide in the presence of an effective amount of a Raney copper catalyst that has from about 50 parts per million to about 10,000 parts per million of an element selected from the group consisting of chromium, titanium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, vanadium, molybdenum, manganese, tungsten, cobalt, nickel and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process is provided for the degradation of N-phosphonomethylglycine. A mixed culture of microorganisms (ATCC 55050) is attached to an inert, immobile support, and then contacted with an aqueous solution of N-phosphonomethylglycine for a sufficient time to degrade the N-phosphonomethylglycine. One of the microorganisms in the mixed culture was identified as Moraxella anatipestifer (ATCC 55051).

Abstract: Process for the isolation and purification of free acids, starting from their salts, by electrodialysis which involves the use of:i) an electrolytic cell of four compartments, in which the two compartments adjacent to the two electrodes are separated from the central compartments by means of cationic membranes (2) and the central compartments are separated from one another by means of an anionic membrane (1); or, alternatively,ii) a module formed by an array of cells of 4 compartments separated from one another by alternating anionic membranes and cationic membranes.By means of this process, the simultaneous presence of the isolated free acids and their salts in the same compartment is prevented, which increases their purity. A large number of acids and amino acids can be isolated and purified. In a preferred embodiment, the purification and isolation of IDA is described.

Abstract: Procedure for obtaining acetic acid derivatives (I) where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are H or groups --CH.sub.2 --COOH by oxidation of (II) where R and R' are H or groups of --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 OH with O.sub.2 or a gas that contains it, in the presence of an metal hydroxide, demineralized water and Cu-Raney. The reaction is carried out keeping constant a partial pressure of oxygen below 20 Kg/cm.sup.2, inside the reactor. The acids (I) obtained as soluble salts, can be isolated and purified by chemical or electrochemical means.Examples of acids (I) are glycine, iminediacetic acid and nitricetriacetic acid, useful as nutrients and in the synthesis of herbicides.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing N-phosphonomethylglycine by the oxidation of N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid with a peroxide to form an intermediate N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide. Thereafter, the N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide is converted to N-phosphonomethylglycine by adding a catalytic amount of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, aluminum, vanadium and copper, or a compound selected from the group consisting of water-soluble vanadium compounds, ferrous salts and cuprous salts.

Abstract: A process for producing N-phosphonomethylglycine by the oxidation of N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid using a molecualr oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a transition metal catalyst.

Abstract: N-Phosphonomethylglycine can be purified and concentrated from aqueous solutions containing N-phosphonomethylglycine and impurities, such as N-formyl-N-phosphonomethylglycine, phosphorous acid, and the like, by passing the aqueous solution through an ion exchange column containing a weakly basic ion exchange resin to remove such impurities.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing N-phosphonomethylglycine by the oxidation of N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid with a peroxide to form an intermediate N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide. Thereafter, the N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide is converted to N-phosphonomethylglycine by adding a catalytic amount of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, aluminum, vanadium and copper, or a compound selected from the group consisting of water-soluble vanadium compounds, ferrous salts and cuprous salts.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing N-phosphonomethylglycine by the oxidation of N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid with a peroxide to form an intermediate N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide. Thereafter, the N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide is converted to N-phosphonomethylglycine by adding a catalytic amount of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, aluminum, vanadium and copper, or a compound selected from the group consisting of water-soluble vanadium compounds, ferrous salts and cuprous salts.

Abstract: A process for the production of N-phosphonomethylglycine comprising contacting N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid with a peroxide in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of the salts and salt complexes of cobalt and vanadium, and an effective amount of a quinone or hydroquinone.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing the alkali metal salts of N-phosphonomethylglycine which comprises heating to an elevated temperature an aqueous solution of a di- or tri-alkali metal salt of N-alkyl-N-phosphonomethylglycine. The N-alkyl substituent contains at least one hydrogen on the beta carbon atom.

Abstract: A process for the production of N-phosphonomethylglycine comprising contacting N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid with a peroxide in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of the salts and salt complexes of cobalt and vancadium, and an effective amount of dipyridyl compound.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for the preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine by the oxidation of N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid. In the process N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid is oxidized with a peroxide to form an intermediate, N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide, and thereafter, adding a metabisulfite compound in the presence of a molybdenum compound to convert the intermediate to N-phosphonomethylglycine.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing N-phosphonomethylglycine by the oxidation of N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid with a peroxide to form an intermediate N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide. Thereafter, the N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide is converted to N-phosphonomethylglycine by adding a catalytic amount of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, aluminum, vanadium and copper, or a compound selected from the group consisting of water-soluble vanadium compounds, ferrous salts and cuprous salts.

Abstract: N-Acyl-aminomethylphosphonic acids represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of methyl and aryl are prepared by:(a) bringing together under substantially anhydrous reaction conditions an amide represented by the formula ##STR2## wherein R is as defined above and paraformaldehyde; and thereafter, (b) adding phosphorous trihalide to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process is provided to produce N-phosphonomethylglycine by the oxidation of N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid to form an intermediate N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide with a peroxide in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of water-soluble tungsten compounds and a mixture of water-soluble tungsten compounds and a water-soluble molybdenum compound to form the intermediate, and thereafter converting the intermediate N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid-N-oxide to N-phosphonomethylglycine.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing the alkali metal salts of N-phosphonomethylglycine which comprises heating to an elevated temperature a di-alkali metal salt of N-alkyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)aminomethylphosphonic acid.

Abstract: A process for producing N-phosphonomethylglycine by the oxidation of N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid using a molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a transition metal catalyst.