Primesep 100 separates a mixture of glyphosate and isopropylamine by HPLC using cation exchange as a retention mechanism. The peak order of this mixture is reversed on a Primesep B column which uses anion exchange. This combination offers an alternative to ion chromatography for the simultaneous analysis of complex herbicide mixtures. Glyphosate, other phosphonomethyl herbicides, and their amine salts can be analyzed with a mobile phase mixture of water, acetonitrile (MeCN, ACN) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD).

Glyphosate is a broad spectrum herbicide used to kill weeds. It is the most used herbicide. Glyphosate is an aminophosphonic analogue of the natural amino acid glycine. Glyphosate and its intermediates are very polar ionic compounds derived from glycine. Neither of intermediates can be retained on traditional reversed-phase columns. Two methods for glyphosate intermediates were developed on Primesep B, Primesep B2 and Primesep 100 columns.

Glyphosate and intermediates/impurities of production are separated on an Obelisc N HILIC/ion-exchange column by a combination of HILIC and ion-exchange mechanism. Method can be used in analysis of glyphosate, iminodiacetic acid, (N-phosphonomethyl)-imminodiacetic acid, diethanolamine and related impurities in reaction mixtures, waste and ground waters. Detection techniques are LC/MS, ELSD, CAD and UV.

Glyphosate is broad spectrum herbicide to kill weeds. Presence of glyphosate in water, fruits and veggies is regulated. Alkylphosphonic acids are decomposition byproducts of chemical warfare agents. Analysis of phosphonic acid in water is regulated by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). All phosphonic acids are polar acidic compounds. Method was developed for glyphosate and ethylphosphonic acid. Both compounds are retained by ion-exchange mechanism. Method is compatible with LC/MS and can be used for analysis of glyphosate and alkylphosphonic acids in various matrices.