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.