Calcium dihydrogen phosphate

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Calcium dihydrogen phosphate (also called mono-calcium orthophosphate) Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ is a chemical compound.

Decomposes at 203 °C. The common Ca(H₂PO₄)₂•H₂O releases a water molecule before it melts at 109 °C.

Contents

1 Uses

1.1 Fertilizer
1.2 Leavening Agent

2 External links

Uses

Fertilizer

Phosphorus is an important nutrient and so is a common component of fertilizers. Phosphate rock, Ca₃(PO₄)₂ is available but is too insoluble to be an efficient fertilizer. Therefore it is frequently converted into the more soluble calcium dihydrogen phosphate, generally by the use of sulfuric acid H₂SO₄, the result is hydrated to turn the calcium sulfate in to the dihydrate gypsum and sold as "superphosphate of lime"

Ca₃(PO₄)₂ + 4 H₂SO₄ + 2 H₂O → 2 CaSO₄•2H₂O + Ca(H₂PO₄)₂

Alternately phospate rock may be treated with phosphoric acid to produce a purer form of calcium dihydrogen phosphate and is sold as "triple phosphate".

Ca₃(PO₄)₂ + 4 H₃PO₄ → 3 Ca(H₂PO₄)₂

Leavening Agent

Monocalcium Phosphate is also used in the food industry as a Leavening agent to cause baked goods to rise.

External links

For a full list of external links to MSDSs, spectroscopic data, commercial chemicals suppliers etc. for this compound, see [Chemical sources].

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