Methods for making L-glufosinate
Methods for the production of L-glufosinate (also known as phosphinothricin or (S)-2-amino-4-(hydroxy(methyl)phosphonoyl)butanoic acid) are provided. The methods comprise a two-step process. The first step involves the oxidative deamination of D-glufosinate to PPO (2-oxo-4-(hydroxy(methyl)phosphinoyl)butyric acid). The second step involves the specific amination of PPO to L-glufosinate, using an amine group from one or more amine donors. By combining these two reactions, the proportion of L-glufosinate in a mixture of L-glufosinate and D-glufosinate can be substantially increased.
1. A composition comprising D-glufosinate, 2-oxo-4-(hydroxy(methyl)phosphinoyl)butyric acid (PPO), and L-glufosinate or a salt thereof, wherein L-glufosinate or the salt thereof is present in the composition at an amount of 80% by weight or greater based on the total amount of D-glufosinate, PPO, and L-glufosinate.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the amount of L-glufosinate or the salt thereof is 90% by weight or greater based on the total amount of D-glufosinate, PPO, and L-glufosinate or the salt thereof.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the amount of L-glufosinate or the salt thereof is 95% by weight or greater based on the total amount of D-glufosinate, PPO, and L-glufosinate or the salt thereof.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is a dried powder.
5. A method for selectively controlling weeds in an area comprising applying an effective amount of the composition of claim 1 .
6. A method for selectively controlling weeds in an area comprising applying an effective amount of the composition of claim 2 .
7. A method for selectively controlling weeds in an area comprising applying an effective amount of the composition of claim 3 .
8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein PPO is present in the composition at an amount of less than 20% by weight based on the total amount of D-glufosinate, PPO, and L-glufosinate or the salt thereof.
9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein PPO is present in the composition at an amount of less than 15% by weight based on the total amount of D-glufosinate, PPO, and L-glufosinate or the salt thereof.
10. The composition of claim 2 , wherein PPO is present in the composition at an amount of less than 10% by weight based on the total amount of D-glufosinate, PPO, and L-glufosinate or the salt thereof.
11. The composition of claim 3 , wherein PPO is present in the composition at an amount of less than 5% by weight based on the total amount of D-glufosinate, PPO, and L-glufosinate or the salt thereof.
12. The composition of claim 1 , wherein D-glufosinate is present in the composition at an amount of less than 15% by weight based on the total amount of D-glufosinate, PPO, and L-glufosinate or the salt thereof.
13. The composition of claim 1 , wherein D-glufosinate is present in the composition at an amount of less than 10% by weight based on the total amount of D-glufosinate, PPO, and L-glufosinate or the salt thereof.
14. The composition of claim 2 , wherein D-glufosinate is present in the composition at an amount of less than 10% by weight based on the total amount of D-glufosinate, PPO, and L-glufosinate or the salt thereof.
15. The composition of claim 3 , wherein D-glufosinate is present in the composition at an amount of less than 5% by weight based on the total amount of D-glufosinate, PPO, and L-glufosinate or the salt thereof.
16. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the L-glufosinate or the salt thereof is present as L-glufosinate.
17. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the L-glufosinate or the salt thereof is present as an L-glufosinate salt.
18. The composition of claim 17 , wherein the L-glufosinate salt is a cationic salt.
19. The composition of claim 17 , wherein the L-glufosinate salt is an anionic salt.
20. The composition of claim 17 , wherein the L-glufosinate salt is an L-glufosinate hydrochloride salt.
21. The composition of claim 17 , wherein the L-glufosinate salt is an L-glufosinate ammonium salt.
22. The composition of claim 17 , wherein the L-glufosinate salt is an L-glufosinate isopropylammonium salt.