The molecule is a 2-amino-4-[hydroxy(methyl)phosphoryl]butanoic acid that has S configuration at position 2. A glutamine synthetase inhibitor, it is used (generally as the corresponding ammonium or sodium salts, known as glufosinate-P-ammonium and glufosinate-P-sodium, respectively) as a herbicide to control annual weeds and grasses. It has a role as a herbicide, an EC 6.3.1.2 (glutamate--ammonia ligase) inhibitor and an agrochemical. It is an enantiomer of a (2R)-glufosinate. It is a tautomer of a glufosinate-P zwitterion.
(2S)-2-amino-4-[hydroxy(methyl)phosphoryl]butanoic acid