Chemistry
Glyphosate is an aminophosphonic analogue of the natural amino acid glycine, and the name is a contraction of gly(cine) phos(phon)ate. The molecule has several dissociable hydrogens, especially the first hydrogen of the phosphate group. The molecule tends to exist as a zwitterion where a phosphonic hydrogen dissociates and joins the amine group. Glyphosate is soluble in water to 12 g/L at room temperature.
Main deactivation path is hydrolysis to aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA).
Glyphosate 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.
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