This invention relates to the use of a promoter in conjunction with a noble-metal-containing catalyst comprising a carbon support in catalyzing liquid phase oxidation reactions.In a particularly preferred embodiment, the catalyst comprises a carbon support having a noble metal and tellurium at a surface of the carbon support and is used in a liquid phase oxidation process wherein N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (i.e., "PMIDA") or a salt thereof is oxidized to form N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (i.e., "glyphosate") or a salt thereof.