The present subject matter provides a safe alternative for producing an important intermediate useful for preparing the herbicide glufosinate, without need for chlorine components in the manufacturing process. In particular, a process for preparing alkyl phosphinic aid alkyl ester is provided, including the step of alkylating alkyl phosphinic acid ester in a non-polar solvent in the same apparatus as used to first produce the alkyl phosphinic acid ester, and without isolating the alkyl phosphinic acid ester before the alkylation step is conducted. More specifically, a process is presented for preparing methyl phosphinic acid butyl ester, by alkylating butyl phosphinic acid ester in a non-polar solvent, in the same apparatus as used previously to first produce the butyl phosphinic acid ester and without isolating the butylphosphinic acid ester before alkylation.

A preparation method for glufosinate or a salt thereof, an enantiomer thereof, or mixtures of the enantiomer thereof in all ratios, comprising reacting a compound of formula (II) or a salt, an enantiomer, or mixtures of the enantiomer in all ratios with one or more compounds of formula (III) or mixtures thereof. ##STR00001##

A preparation method for glufosinate ammonium or a salt thereof, an enantiomer thereof, or mixtures of the enantiomer thereof in all ratios, comprising reacting a compound of formula (II) or a salt, an enantiomer, or mixtures of the enantiomer in all ratios with one or more compounds of formula (III) or mixtures thereof.

##STR00001##

A non-aqueous electrolyte composition containing (i) at least one aprotic organic solvent; (ii) a compound of formula (I) (iii) at least one ion containing conducting salt; and (iv) optionally one or more additives. ##STR00001##

A preparation method for glufosinate or a salt thereof, an enantiomer thereof, or mixtures of the enantiomer thereof in all ratios, comprising reacting a compound of formula (II) or a salt, an enantiomer, or mixtures of the enantiomer in all ratios with one or more compounds of formula (III) or mixtures thereof.

##STR00001##

Phosphonate based lithium complexes of formula (I) and their use in electrolyte compositions for electrochemical cells. ##STR00001##

The present subject matter provides a safe alternative for producing an important intermediate useful for preparing the herbicide glufosinate, without need for chlorine components in the manufacturing process. In particular, a process for preparing alkyl phosphinic aid alkyl ester is provided, including the step of alkylating alkyl phosphinic acid ester in a non-polar solvent in the same apparatus as used to first produce the alkyl phosphinic acid ester, and without isolating the alkyl phosphinic acid ester before the alkylation step is conducted. More specifically, a process is presented for preparing methyl phosphinic acid butyl ester, by alkylating butyl phosphinic acid ester in a non-polar solvent, in the same apparatus as used previously to first produce the butyl phosphinic acid ester and without isolating the butylphosphinic acid ester before alkylation.

The present invention relates primarily to a process for producing particular phosphinates (phosphonous acid monoesters) and use thereof for producing biologically active substances which may be used in the pharmaceutical or agrochemical sector, preferably for producing phosphorus-containing amino acids.

Phosphonate based lithium complexes of formula (I) and their use in electrolyte compositions for electrochemical cells.

##STR00001##

A non-aqueous electrolyte composition containing (i) at least one aprotic organic solvent; (ii) a compound of formula (I) (iii) at least one ion containing conducting salt; and (iv) optionally one or more additives.

##STR00001##