Dipotassium phosphate
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| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name Potassium hydrogen phosphate | |
| Other names Potassium monohydrogen phosphate Phosphoric acid dipotassium salt Potassium phosphate dibasic | |
| Identifiers | |
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3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.028.940 |
| EC Number |
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| E number | E340(ii) (antioxidants, ...) |
PubChem CID | |
| UNII |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
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| Properties | |
| K2HPO4 | |
| Molar mass | 174.2 g/mol |
| Appearance | white powder deliquescent |
| Odor | odorless |
| Density | 2.44 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | > 465 °C (869 °F; 738 K) decomposes |
| 149.25 g/100 mL (20 °C) | |
| Solubility | slightly soluble in alcohol |
| Acidity (pKa) | 12.4 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 6.8 |
| Hazards | |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
| Flash point | Non-flammable |
| Related compounds | |
Other cations | Disodium phosphate Diammonium phosphate |
Related compounds | Monopotassium phosphate Tripotassium phosphate |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references | |
Dipotassium phosphate (also dipotassium hydrogen orthophosphate or potassium phosphate dibasic) is the inorganic compound with the formula K2HPO4.(H2O)x (x = 0, 3, 6). Together with monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4.(H2O)x), it is often used as a fertilizer, food additive, and buffering agent.[1] It is a white or colorless solid that is soluble in water.
It is produced commercially by partial neutralization of phosphoric acid with two equivalents of potassium chloride:[1]
- H3PO4 + 2 KCl → K2HPO4 + 2 HCl
Uses
As a food additive, dipotassium phosphate is used in imitation dairy creamers, dry powder beverages, mineral supplements, and starter cultures.[2] It functions as an emulsifier, stabilizer and texturizer; it is also a buffering agent, and chelating agent especially for the calcium in milk products.[3]
As a food additive, dipotassium phosphate is generally recognized as safe by the United States Food and Drug Administration,[4] and is commonly used (in conjunction with other inorganic salts) to add taste to bottled water.[5]
References
- ^ a b Klaus Schrödter; Gerhard Bettermann; Thomas Staffel; Friedrich Wahl; Thomas Klein; Thomas Hofmann (2012). "Phosphoric Acid and Phosphates". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a19_465.pub3. ISBN 978-3-527-30673-2.
- ^ John H. Thorngate III; Seppo Salminen; Larry A. Branen; Michael P. Davidson, eds. (2001). "Food Phosphates". Food Additives. Food Science and Technology. Vol. 116. CRC Press. doi:10.1201/9780824741709.ch25 (inactive 12 July 2025). ISBN 978-0-8247-9343-2.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link) - ^ "What is dipotassium phosphate?". 30 April 2018. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
- ^ "Database of Select Committee on GRAS Substances (SCOGS) Reviews". Archived from the original on 2007-05-21. Retrieved 2008-03-22. (listed as "potassium phosphate, dibasic")
- ^ "Brands Of Bottled Water With Electrolytes (Confirmed By Lab Tests) - Water Purification Guide". 3 July 2021.


