Xxhx disodium hydrogen phosphate chemical formula

Types of Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate

Many forms of disodium hydrogen phosphate are manufactured, each with unique characteristics depending on how hydrated or dehydrated the salt is.

Anhydrous Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate

Anhydrous disodium hydrogen phosphate is a dry powder that does not contain any water molecules. This type is extremely stable and will often be used in manufacturing sections where a steady, dry chemical compound is required.

Monohydrate Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate

When one water molecule is added to disodium hydrogen phosphate, it becomes monohydrate. This form is somewhat stable and primarily found in formulations where slight hydration is acceptable.

Hexahydrate Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate

Hexahydrate is the most common form of sodium hydrogen phosphate in chemical manufacturing. This version has six water molecules associated with each formula unit of the compound. The hexahydrate is usually more soluble compared to anhydrous and monohydrate forms and is easier to handle in chemical reactions.

Heptahydrate Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate

A rare but documented form is heptahydrate, which contains seven water molecules per formula unit. This is less frequently observed in industrial applications due to its lower stability.

Industrial Applications of Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate

Many industries use disodium hydrogen phosphate because of its chemical properties and biological functions. The following is a broad overview of some of the most common applications.

Fertilizer

Phosphates, including disodium hydrogen phosphate, are essential for plant growth because phosphorus is one of the three major nutrients in fertilizers. It can enhance crop yields when added to soil or slurry as a fertilizer.

Food Industry

In the food industry, disodium hydrogen phosphate is utilized as a food additive, leavening agent, emulsifier, taste enhancer, and nutrient fortifier. This compound acts as a stabilizing factor and a nutrient addition in dairy products, processed meats, and baked foods. It is important to note that in food processing, quality and safety are critical. Therefore, phosphate compounds are essential in maintaining food quality and nutritional value on a large scale.

Buffer Solutions in Biotechnology

Buffer solutions try to maintain a constant pH level when hydrogen ions are added or alkali metal ions are added. Because pH changes can dramatically affect enzyme activity and protein stability in biochemical formulations, disodium hydrogen phosphate is often combined with acids or other phosphates to make buffer solutions. These buffer solutions are particularly crucial for cell culture media, vaccine production, enzyme isolation, and other biological products where pH control is vital. Other buffer solutions include sodium dihydrogen phosphate.

Pharmaceuticals

There are many uses of disodium hydrogen phosphate in the pharmaceutical industry. It is primarily used in the preparation of buffer solutions for drug formulations, ensuring stability and effectiveness during storage and administration. Moreover, it is also utilized in the separation and purification of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) through precipitation or chromatographic methods.

Water Treatment

This compound is also used in treating industrial wastewater and municipal drinking water. Phosphates have a known ability to sequester metal ions, which in water treatment results in the removal of toxic manganese, calcium, copper, or lead.

Product Specifications and Features of Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate

Chemical and Physical Properties

• Chemical formula: The chemical formula of disodium hydrogen phosphate is Na2HPO4. This compound contains two sodium ions, one hydrogen phosphate ion, and four oxygen atoms.
• Molecular weight: Its molecular weight will depend on the form of the compound. However, the anhydrous form has a molecular weight of 168.95 grams per mole.
• Appearance: The hexahydrate form appears as a white, coarse crystalline powder. It makes a clear, colorless, and non-viscous fluid when dissolved in water.
• Solubility: Highly soluble in water. Solubility increases in the case of hexahydrates and more hydrated versions of the compound and comparatively less in anhydrous form.
• Boiling point: The boiling point is greater than 350 degrees Celsius for the anhydrous form of the compound.
• Melting Point: The hexahydrate form will melt when heated to 70 degrees Celsius, releasing water molecules and forming the anhydrous form.

How to Use

Handling and administration techniques for disodium hydrogen phosphate. Please note that precaution should be observed, especially when handling concentrated solutions or large quantities of chemicals. Personal protective equipment like gloves and safety glasses should be worn, and one should work in a well-ventilated space or fume hood.

• Agricultural use: When used in agriculture, it is usually in the form of fertilizers. It has to be diluted in water before application as liquid fertilizer is the most effective method to distribute soluble phosphate to crops.
• Food industry: In the food processing industry, add disodium hydrogen phosphate directly to food mixtures, doughs, or other processing areas. It can stabilize food products and enhance nutritional value.
• Pharmaceutical Buffers: Phosphate buffer saline or other biomedical buffers are prepared using sodium dihydrogen phosphate and disodium hydrogen phosphate in the pharmaceutical industry. This can be achieved by mixing the required amounts of each phosphate and a diluted acid or alkali to adjust the pH to the desired value.
• Water treatment: It is commonly applied directly to wastewater or drinking water that one seeks to treat without dilution. Sometimes it is first mixed with other treatment chemicals before being added to water systems.
• Buffer Solutions: In laboratory environments for biochemical experiments, add disodium hydrogen phosphate to buffer solutions in small quantities for controlled pH maintenance during enzyme activity or in chemical reactions involving more unstable reactants.

Transportation and Storage

• Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. It should be kept in a tightly sealed container to avoid exposure to air, which may cause caking or degradation.
• Transportation: During the transportation of disodium hydrogen phosphate in bulk, put it in appropriate and labeled safety containers. Ensure that containers are sealed and secure to prevent spills or leaks in any case of accident. Moreover, abide by the local regulation regarding the transportation of chemicals.

Quality and Safety Considerations of Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate

Handling Precautions

Always use personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, goggles, and masks. Inhalation of fine powders is possible, leading to respiratory issues, or skin contact resulting in irritation. Therefore, proper PPE will minimize exposure.

First Aid Measures

There should be basic first aid measures for any chemical exposure.

• In case of ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse the mouth with water and seek medical help immediately.
• In case of skin contact: Wash affected area with plenty of water and soap/ detergent. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.
• In case of eye contact: Flush eyes immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention.
• In case of inhalation: Move the person to fresh air immediately and away from the area of exposure. Seek medical attention if breathing is difficult or other symptoms persist.

Disposal Method

Dispose of disodium hydrogen phosphate as hazardous chemical waste. Follow local regulations regarding chemical disposal, which may include neutralization or disposal in a designated hazardous waste facility.

Quality Control Measures

Good quality control practices help minimize any potential risk that lower quality chemicals may pose. Here are some key quality control measures for disodium hydrogen phosphate:

• Purity testing: Use spectroscopy, chromatography, or titration to ensure it contains at least 98% active ingredient and not any other harmful impurity.
• Storage conditions: Monitor temperature and humidity of storage room to prevent degradation or clumping from poor storage.
• Labeling: Clearly label containers with contents, hazardous info, and date of acquisition so users have full information.
• Batch consistency: Test samples from each batch to ensure stable quality over time without lot-to-lot variation.

Q&A

Can disodium hydrogen phosphate be used in food applications?

Yes, disodium hydrogen phosphate is a food-grade additive used widely in the food processing industry, particularly in the manufacture of dairy products, processed meats, and baked goods. It is therefore perfectly safe as a food additive with an E number of E450.

What happens when disodium hydrogen phosphate is reacted with an acid?

When an acid is added or applied to disodium hydrogen phosphate, it will then be converted into sodium dihydrogen phosphate by the donation of one sodium ion from the phosphate ester.

What happens when disodium hydrogen phosphate is heated to high temperature?

When heated to very high temperatures, such as above 400 °C, disodium hydrogen phosphate will decompose to form sodium metaphosphate, a polymeric form of phosphate.

Is disodium hydrogen phosphate hazardous?

No, it is considered relatively safe and non-toxic when handled properly. Nonetheless, exposure to dust can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.