This invention generally relates to liquid phase oxidation processes for
making N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (also known in the agricultural
chemical industry as glyphosate) and related compounds. This invention,
for example, particularly relates to processes wherein an
N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (NPMIDA) substrate (i.e.,
N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid, a salt of
N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid, or an ester of
N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid) is continuously oxidized to form
an N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product (i.e., N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine,
a salt of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, or an ester of
N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine). This invention also, for example,
particularly relates to processes wherein an
N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid substrate is oxidized to form an
N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product, which, in turn, is crystallized (at
least in part) in an adiabatic crystallizer.