Glufosinate, a phosphorous analogue of glutamic acid, was introduced in 1984 as a nonselective herbicide in the speciality market, but meanwhile also resistant crops have been developed, which are distributed in combination with the herbicide (Liberty Link).
The contact herbicide inhibits the plant specific enzyme glutamine synthetase. The chemical synthesis requires acrolein, hydrocyanic acid and methyl phosphinous ester, resulting in a racemic product. As the L-enantiomer is 40 times more active than the D-compound, many asymmetric synthetic routes are under investigation.
Moderately toxic by ingestion
