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 formulation comprising:
L-glufosinate ammonium in an amount from 10-30% by weight of the formulation and D-glufosinate ammonium, wherein the formulation has greater than about 90% L-glufosinate compared to the sum of the D-glufosinate and the L-glufosinate present in the formulation;
sodium alkyl ether sulfate in an amount from 10-40% by weight of the formulation; and
alkyl polysaccharide in an amount from 4-20% by weight of the formulation.
2 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the formulation further comprises a diluent.
3 . The formulation of claim 2 , wherein the diluent is water.
4 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the formulation has greater than about 95% L-glufosinate compared to the sum of the D-glufosinate and the L-glufosinate present in the formulation.
5 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the formulation has greater than about 96% L-glufosinate compared to the sum of the D-glufosinate and the L-glufosinate present in the formulation.
6 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the formulation has greater than about 97% L-glufosinate compared to the sum of the D-glufosinate and the L-glufosinate present in the formulation.
7 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the formulation has greater than about 98% L-glufosinate compared to the sum of the D-glufosinate and the L-glufosinate present in the formulation.
8 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the formulation further comprises 1-methoxy-2-propanol in an amount from 0.5-2% by weight of the formulation.
9 . The formulation of claim 1 , wherein the formulation further comprises dipropylene glycol in an amount from 4-18% by weight of the formulation.
10 . A formulation comprising:
L-glufosinate ammonium in an amount from 10-30% by weight of the formulation and D-glufosinate ammonium, wherein the formulation has greater than about 90% L-glufosinate compared to the sum of the D-glufosinate and the L-glufosinate present in the formulation;
sodium alkyl ether sulfate in an amount from 10-40% by weight of the formulation; and
alkyl polysaccharide in an amount from 3-20% by weight of the formulation.
11 . The formulation of claim 10 , wherein the formulation further comprises a diluent.
12 . The formulation of claim 11 , wherein the diluent is water.
13 . The formulation of claim 10 , wherein the formulation has greater than about 95% L-glufosinate compared to the sum of the D-glufosinate and the L-glufosinate present in the formulation.
14 . The formulation of claim 10 , wherein the formulation has greater than about 96% L-glufosinate compared to the sum of the D-glufosinate and the L-glufosinate present in the formulation.
15 . The formulation of claim 10 , wherein the formulation has greater than about 97% L-glufosinate compared to the sum of the D-glufosinate and the L-glufosinate present in the formulation.
16 . The formulation of claim 10 , wherein the formulation has greater than about 98% L-glufosinate compared to the sum of the D-glufosinate and the L-glufosinate present in the formulation.
17 . The formulation of claim 10 , wherein the formulation further comprises 1-methoxy-2-propanol in an amount from 0.5-2% by weight of the formulation.
18 . The formulation of claim 10 , wherein the formulation further comprises dipropylene glycol in an amount from 4-18% by weight of the formulation.