Dipotassium phosphate
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Potassium hydrogen phosphate | |
| Other names
Potassium monohydrogen phosphate Phosphoric acid dipotassium salt Potassium phosphate dibasic | |
| Identifiers | |
| |
3D model (JSmol) |
|
| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.028.940 |
| EC Number |
|
| E number | E340(ii) (antioxidants, ...) |
PubChem CID |
|
| UNII |
|
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
|
| |
| |
| 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).
| |
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 some brands of bottled water.[5]


