What is Dipotassium Phosphate (K2HPO4)？
Dipotassium phosphate, also known as potassium hydrogen phosphate or potassium biphosphate, is an inorganic salt with the chemical formula K2HPO4. It is a white, crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water.
Properties of Dipotassium Phosphate
Dipotassium phosphate (K2HPO4) is a white, crystalline solid with a melting point of around 40 °C. Notably, some key properties are:
- Water solubility: 570 mg/L (purified), 370 mg/L (freshwater), 25 mg/L (seawater)
- pH of a 5% solution: around 9
- Acts as a buffering agent and pH regulator
- Hygroscopic nature, absorbing moisture from the air
Benefits of Dipotassium Phosphate
Improved Mechanical Properties
Dipotassium phosphate (K2HPO4) can modify the mechanical properties of soils and cementitious materials. For instance:
- Soil Conditioning: It reduces cementation strength between soil aggregates, enhancing consolidation and permeability .
- Cement Modification: In magnesium phosphate cement, it extends the setting time and optimizes strength development .
Chemical Reactivity
Dipotassium phosphate exhibits unique chemical reactivity. Specifically:
- Reducing Agent: It efficiently reduces graphene oxide nanosheets, facilitating the production of reduced graphene oxide (RGO).
- Taste Masking: It improves the taste of certain antibiotics by forming relatively tasteless salts.
Environmental Benefits
Dipotassium phosphate offers advantages from an environmental perspective. In particular:
- Eco-friendly Reducing Agent: It serves as an environmentally friendly reducing agent for graphene oxide, avoiding hazardous chemicals.
- Phosphate Recovery: It can be used in processes for recovering phosphates from phosphate rock, promoting resource sustainability.
By leveraging these benefits, dipotassium phosphate finds applications across diverse sectors, including agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, construction, and materials science, contributing to improved product performance and sustainability.
Applications of Dipotassium Phosphate
Industrial and Chemical Applications
- Used in the detergent industry as a water softener and builder
- Employed in the manufacture of other phosphates like tripotassium phosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, and sodium-potassium tripolyphosphates
- Additionally, it acts as a catalyst in heterogeneous catalysis reactions.
- Moreover, it is utilized in the production of monopotassium phosphate via solvent extraction.
Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications
- Calcium phosphates like hydroxyapatite (formed from dipotassium phosphate) are biocompatible and used in dental cements, drug delivery, and bone repair
- Furthermore, dipotassium phosphate salts of certain compounds show anticancer activity and can be used in cancer treatment.
- Used as an electrolyte supplement to treat hypophosphatemia and hypokalemia in dairy cattle
Effects on Food and Beverages
- Added to milk protein beverages to increase viscosity, modify texture, and improve stability during storage
- Causes dissociation of caseins from micelles in milk, increasing soluble protein and mineral content
- This can lead to the precipitation of insoluble calcium phosphates in certain beverages, affecting the appearance
Application Cases
| Product/Project | Technical Outcomes | Application Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium Phosphate Buffer Solutions | Maintain a stable pH range of 6-7, suitable for various biological and chemical processes. Highly soluble and easy to prepare. | Laboratory experiments, industrial processes, and pharmaceutical applications requiring precise pH control. |
| Dipotassium Phosphate Fertilizers | Provide essential nutrients (phosphorus and potassium) for plant growth and development. Enhance crop yields and soil fertility. | Agricultural applications, including crop cultivation, horticulture, and landscaping. |
| Dipotassium Phosphate Detergents | Act as a water softener and builder, improving cleaning efficiency by preventing mineral buildup and enhancing surfactant performance. | Household and industrial cleaning products, laundry detergents, and dishwashing formulations. |
| Dipotassium Phosphate Catalysts | Facilitate heterogeneous catalysis reactions, improving reaction rates and selectivity. Enhance the efficiency of chemical processes. | Industrial chemical synthesis, petrochemical refining, and environmental catalytic processes. |
| Dipotassium Phosphate Electrolyte Solutions | Replenish essential electrolytes and maintain proper fluid balance in the body. Suitable for intravenous infusions and medical applications. | Healthcare settings, such as hospitals and clinics, for the treatment of electrolyte imbalances and fluid management. |
Latest innovations in Dipotassium Phosphate
Novel Dipotassium Phosphate Compounds and Derivatives
- Phosphate-Phosphonate Hybrids: A new class of phosphate-phosphonate compounds has been synthesized via multicomponent reactions, exhibiting promising antifungal and antioxidant properties. For example, the di-Et [(4-diethyl phosphate phenyl) (4-trifluoromethyl phenylamino) methyl] phosphonate (6 g) is a key example, characterized by X-ray crystallography. These compounds are potential organophosphorus pesticides with improved activity.
- Tetra-substituted Diphosphates: Novel tetra-substituted diphosphate-based compounds have been developed, represented by the formula (1) where R1 to R4 are substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroarylalkyl groups. These compounds offer new raw materials for various material development applications.
- Bisphosphonate Inhibitors: Innovative bisphosphonate compounds have been designed to selectively inhibit farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS), geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS), and decaprenyl pyrophosphate synthase (DPPS), either individually or in combination. These compounds demonstrate superior activity levels compared to previous-generation bisphosphonates, with potential applications in cancer, immunotherapy, and infectious diseases.
- Fire Retardant Formulations: Dipotassium phosphate has been incorporated into long-term fire retardant compositions, along with other phosphate salts like diammonium phosphate and sodium ammonium phosphate. These formulations exhibit corrosion resistance and low toxicity, making them effective in suppressing and controlling forest fires.
- Bone Disease Therapeutics: The enantiomerically pure (1R,6S)-2-Azabicyclo-[4.3.0]nonane-8,8-diphosphonic acid has been developed for treating bone disorders such as osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, and osteolytic bone metastasis. This novel compound offers a new therapeutic option for conditions characterized by abnormal calcium and phosphate metabolism.
Emerging Applications and Future Prospects
The latest innovations in dipotassium phosphate and related compounds have opened up new avenues in diverse fields, including agriculture, materials science, pharmaceuticals, and fire safety. Ongoing research efforts are focused on further enhancing the performance, selectivity, and environmental compatibility of these compounds, paving the way for more sustainable and effective solutions across various industries.
Technical Challenges of Dipotassium Phosphate
| Novel Dipotassium Phosphate Derivatives | Developing innovative dipotassium phosphate derivatives with enhanced properties and functionalities for various applications, such as antifungal, antioxidant, and organophosphorus pesticides. |
| Tetra-substituted Diphosphates | Synthesising novel tetra-substituted diphosphate compounds as raw materials for diverse material development applications. |
| Bisphosphonate Inhibitors | Designing innovative bisphosphonate compounds that selectively inhibit farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS), geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS), and decaprenyl pyrophosphate synthase (DPPS), either individually or in combination, with superior activity levels compared to previous generation bisphosphonates. |
| Phosphate-based Fire Retardants | Developing long-term fire retardant compositions containing dipotassium phosphate and other phosphate salts, exhibiting corrosion resistance and low toxicity for effective fire suppression and control. |
| Dipotassium Phosphate Catalysts | Exploring the application of dipotassium phosphate and its derivatives as catalysts or catalyst components in various chemical processes and reactions. |
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