Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of formylphosphonic acid derivatives is reported. An aminomethylphosphonic acid substrate is contacted with a reagent selected from the group consisting of water, an alcohol, a phenol compound, and mixtures thereof and an oxidizing gas in the presence of a catalyst to form a reaction product mixture containing a formylphosphonic acid derivative and the conditions under which said contacting is carried out are controlled so that no more than 50% of the formylphosphonic acid derivative formed in the reaction product mixture is consumed by reaction with the reagent.

Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of formylphosphonic acid derivatives is reported. An aminomethylphosphonic acid substrate is contacted with a reagent selected from the group consisting of water, an alcohol, a phenol compound, and mixtures thereof and an oxidizing gas in the presence of a catalyst to form a reaction product mixture containing a formylphosphonic acid derivative and the conditions under which said contacting is carried out are controlled so that no more than 50% of the formylphosphonic acid derivative formed in the reaction product mixture is consumed by reaction with the reagent.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine substrate having the formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl. The process includes a series of reactions comprising a cyanomethylation, a hydrolysis and a dehydrogenation. In a particular embodiment, the iminodiacetic acid produced is disodium iminodiacetic acid and the monoethanolamine substrate used is 2-aminoethanol.

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.

Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of formylphosphonic acid derivatives is reported. An aminomethylphosphonic acid substrate is contacted with a reagent selected from the group consisting of water, an alcohol, a phenol compound, and mixtures thereof and an oxidizing gas in the presence of a catalyst to form a reaction product mixture containing a formylphosphonic acid derivative and the conditions under which said contacting is carried out are controlled so that no more than 50% of the formylphosphonic acid derivative formed in the reaction product mixture is consumed by reaction with the reagent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and useful improvement in the process to manufacture a carboxylic acid salt, particularly an amino carboxylic acid salt, from a primary alcohol, particularly a primary aminoalcohol. The process of manufacturing amino carboxylic acid salts comprises contacting an aqueous solution of a primary aminoalcohol with a strong hydroxide base selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, an ammonium hydroxide compound including a tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxide, or the like, in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst. The catalyst comprises one or more of elements selected from the group consisting of copper, cobalt, nickel, and cadmium as well as optionally lesser amounts of chromium, titanium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, vanadium, molybdenum, manganese, tungsten, cobalt, nickel, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine substrate having the formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl. The process includes a series of reactions comprising a cyanomethylation, a hydrolysis and a dehydrogenation with the hydrolysis and dehydrogenation steps being carried out either sequentially or concurrently. In a particular embodiment, the iminodiacetic acid produced is disodium iminodiacetic acid and the monoethanolamine substrate used is 2-aminoethanol.

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.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine is provided. In the process, N-(acetyl)iminodiacetic acid is formed in an amidocarboxymethylation reactor system. The N-(acetyl)iminodiacetic acid product stream is either: (1) reacted with a source of phosphorous and a source of formaldehyde in the presence of an acid to form a phosphonomethylation reaction product stream containing N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid and acetic acid; or (2) deacylated and cyclized to form a 2,5-diketopiperazine, and then reacted with a source of phosphorous and a source of formaldehyde in the presence of an acid to form a phosphonomethylation reaction product stream containing N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid and acetic acid. In either case, the N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid product is recovered and converted to N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine.

Abstract: Formylphosphonic acid derivatives are prepared by the catalytic decomposition of a (phosphonomethyl)amine N-oxide compound to form the formylphosphonic acid derivative and a dephosphonomethylated amine.

Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of formylphosphonic acid derivatives is reported. An aminomethylphosphonic acid substrate is contacted with a reagent selected from the group consisting of water, an alcohol, a phenol compound, and mixtures thereof and an oxidizing gas in the presence of a catalyst to form a reaction product mixture containing a formylphosphonic acid derivative and the conditions under which said contacting is carried out are controlled so that no more than 50% of the formylphosphonic acid derivative formed in the reaction product mixture is consumed by reaction with the reagent.

Abstract: A process for the production of N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid. N-(acetyl)iminodiacetic acid is formed in a amidocarboxymethylation reactor system, into which a source of each of the following is continuously fed: (1) acetamide or an acetamide derivative, (2) formaldehyde or a formaldehyde generator or derivative, (3) a carbonylation catalyst, (4) carbon monoxide, and optionally (5) hydrogen. In turn, an amidocarboxymethylation reaction product stream, which contains N-(acetyl)iminodiacetic acid and the carbonylation catalyst, is withdrawn from the amidocarboxymethylation reactor system. The carbonylation catalyst is separated from the amidocarboxymethylation reaction product stream to recover the carbonylation catalyst and form a catalyst depleted product stream which contains N-(acetyl)iminodiacetic acid.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of formylphosphonic acid derivatives is reported. An aminomethylphosphonic acid substrate is contacted with a reagent selected from the group consisting of water, an alcohol, a phenol compound, and mixtures thereof and an oxidizing gas in the presence of a catalyst to form a reaction product mixture containing a formylphosphonic acid derivative and the conditions under which said contacting is carried out are controlled so that no more than 50% of the formylphosphonic acid derivative formed in the reaction product mixture is consumed by reaction with the reagent.