Abstract
Interaction of N-benzylglycine, formaldehyde and phosphorous acid in 30% HCl-solution produces N-benzyl-N-dihydroxyphosphonylmethyl-glycine 1, in 90% yield. Debenzylation of 1, dissolved in water with H2 in the presence of 5% Pd/C as catalyst gives glyphosate 2 in quantitative yield.