Glyphosate

Molecular Structure:

Molecular Formula: C₃H₈NO₅P
Molecular Weight: 169.07
IUPAC Name: 2-(Phosphonomethylamino)acetic acid
Synonyms of Glyphosate (CAS NO.1071-83-6): Glyphosphate ; N-(Phosphonomethyl)glycine ; Phosphonomethyliminoacetic acid ; Pondmaster ; Roundup Max ; Silglif  ; Glycine, N-(phosphonomethyl)-
CAS NO: 1071-83-6 
EINECS: 213-997-4
H bond acceptors: 6
H bond donors: 4
Freely Rotating Bonds: 4
Polar Surface Area: 74.88 Å²
Index of Refraction: 1.529
Molar Refractivity: 31.05 cm³
Molar Volume: 100.6 cm³
Surface Tension: 86.3 dyne/cm
Density: 1.679 g/cm³
Flash Point: 235.5 °C
Enthalpy of Vaporization: 79.71 kJ/mol
Boiling Point: 465.8 °C at 760 mmHg
Vapour Pressure: 5.74E-10 mmHg at 25°C
Melting Point: 230°C
Water Solubility: 1.2 g/100 mL
Storage temp: APPROX 4°C
Decomposition: 230 °C
Appearance: white powder
Stability: Stable. Incompatible with metals, strong oxidizing agents, strong bases. May be light sensitive.
Product Categories: Agro-Chemicals;HERBICIDE;2005/70/EU;GPesticides&Metabolites;OrganophosphorousMethod Specific;Alphabetic;Endocrine Disruptors (Draft)Analytical Standards;EPA;European Community: ISO and DIN;Herbicides;Method Specific

Initially patented and sold by Monsanto in the 1970s under the tradename Roundup, its U.S. patent expired in 2000. It is now also available in other formulations, e.g. Resolva 24H, which contains glyphosate and diquat. Glyphosate is the most used herbicide in the USA.In the US, 5-8 million pounds are used every year on lawns and yards and 85-90 million pounds are used annually in US agriculture.
  Glyphosate (CAS NO.1071-83-6) was first discovered to have herbicidal activity in 1970 by John E. Franz, while working for Monsanto. Franz received the National Medal of Technology in 1987,and the Perkin Medal for Applied Chemistry. in 1990 for his discoveries.

  Glyphosate (CAS NO.1071-83-6) is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide used to kill weeds, especially perennials. It is typically sprayed and absorbed through the leaves, injected into the trunk, or applied to the stump of a tree, or broadcast or used in the cut-stump treatment as a forestry herbicide. The active ingredient is the isopropylamine salt of glyphosate. Glyphosate's mode of action is to inhibit an enzyme involved in the synthesis of the amino acids tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine. It is absorbed through foliage and translocated to growing points. Because of this mode of action, it is only effective on actively growing plants; it is not effective as a pre-emergence herbicide.

When Glyphosate (CAS NO.1071-83-6) comes into contact with the soil it can be rapidly bound to soil particles and be inactivated. Unbound glyphosate can be degraded by bacteria.However, glyphosphate has been shown to increase the infection rate of wheat by fusarium head blight in fields that have been treated with glyphosphate.
In soils, half lives vary from as little as 3 days at a site in Texas, 141 days at a site in Iowa, to between 1–3 years in Swedish forest soils.It appears that higher latitude sites have the longest soil persistences such as in Canada and Scandinavia.

Hazard Codes of Glyphosate (CAS NO.1071-83-6): Xi,XnN
Risk Statements: 41-51/53-62-36/37/38-22
R22: Harmful if swallowed. 
R41: Risk of serious damage to the eyes. 
R51/53: Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. 
R62: Risk of impaired fertility. 
R36/37/38: Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.
Safety Statements: 26-61-2-36/37/39
S2: Keep out of the reach of children
S26: In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. 
S61: Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions / safety data sheets. 
S36/37/39: Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection.
RIDADR: UN 3077 9/PG 3
WGK Germany: 2
RTECS: MC1075000
Poison by intraperitoneal route. Moderately toxic by ingestion. Human systemic effects: arrhythmias, blood pressure lowering, body temperature increase, change in heart rate, convulsions, diarrhea, fibrosing alveolitis, fibrosis, hypermotility, respiratory depression, respiratory stimulation. Used as an herbicide. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of NO_x and PO_x.

 Glyphosate is one of a number of herbicides used by the United States government to spray Colombian coca fields through Plan Colombia. Its health effects, effects on legal crops, and effectiveness in fighting the war on drugs have been widely disputed.There are reports that widespread application of glyphosate in attempts to destroy coca crops in South America have resulted in the development of glyphosate-resistant strains of coca known as Boliviana negra, which have been selectively bred to be both "Roundup ready" and also larger and higher yielding than the original strains of the plant.However, there are no reports of glyphosate-resistant coca in the peer-reviewed literature. In addition, since spraying of herbicides is not permitted in Colombian national parks, this has encouraged coca growers to move into park areas, cutting down the natural vegetation, and establishing coca plantations within park lands.