H₄P₂O₇ is called pyrophosphoric acid, also known as diphosphoric acid. This inorganic compound is formed by the dehydration of two phosphoric acid molecules.
Understanding Pyrophosphoric Acid
- Chemical Formula: H₄P₂O₇ or, more descriptively, [(HO)₂P(O)]₂O.
- Properties: Colorless, odorless, soluble in water, diethyl ether, and ethyl alcohol.
- Formation: Formed through the polymerization of two phosphoric acid monomers (as noted in the USDA Handling Phosphoric Acid report). The reaction can be represented as: 2 H₃PO₄ → H₄P₂O₇ + H₂O.
- Other Names: It's also referred to as diphosphoric acid.
The different sources consistently identify H₄P₂O₇ as pyrophosphoric acid or diphosphoric acid, highlighting its dual nomenclature. Its formation from phosphoric acid is also frequently mentioned. The compound's properties, such as solubility in various solvents, further characterize it.
