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 method for selectively controlling weeds in an area containing a crop of planted seeds or crops that are resistant to glufosinate, the method comprising:
applying an effective amount of a composition comprising L-glufosinate or a salt thereof at an enantiomeric excess of greater than 90% over D-glufosinate to the area,
wherein the effective amount of the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is from 250 grams per hectare to 1200 grams per hectare.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises more than 0.01% but less than 10% 2-oxo-4-(hydroxy(methyl)phosphinoyl)butyric acid (PPO).
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is from 300 grams per hectare to 800 grams per hectare.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the effective amount of the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is from 300 grams per hectare to 800 grams per hectare.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is from 300 grams per hectare to 750 grams per hectare.
6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the effective amount of the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is from 300 grams per hectare to 750 grams per hectare.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is from 300 grams per hectare to 650 grams per hectare.
8 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the effective amount of the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is from 300 grams per hectare to 650 grams per hectare.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is from 300 grams per hectare to 600 grams per hectare.
10 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the effective amount of the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is from 300 grams per hectare to 600 grams per hectare.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is from 350 grams per hectare to 650 grams per hectare.
12 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the effective amount of the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is from 350 grams per hectare to 650 grams per hectare.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is L-glufosinate ammonium salt.
14 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is L-glufosinate ammonium salt.
15 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is L-glufosinate ammonium salt.
16 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is L-glufosinate ammonium salt.
17 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is L-glufosinate ammonium salt.
18 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is L-glufosinate ammonium salt.
19 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is L-glufosinate ammonium salt.
20 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is L-glufosinate ammonium salt.
21 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is L-glufosinate ammonium salt.
22 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is L-glufosinate ammonium salt.
23 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is L-glufosinate ammonium salt.
24 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the L-glufosinate or salt thereof is L-glufosinate ammonium salt.