Phosphate



A phosphate, in biogeochemistry.

Chemical properties

 

  The phosphate ion is a organophosphorus compound with the formula OP(OR)/* Chemical properties */ 3

A phosphate salt forms when a positively-charged ion attaches to the negatively-charged oxygen atoms of the ion, forming an ionic standard temperature and pressure.

In dilute aqueous solution, phosphate exists in four forms. In strongly-basic conditions, the phosphate ion (PO43−) predominates, whereas in weakly-basic conditions, the hydrogen phosphate ion (HPO42−) is prevalent. In weakly-acid conditions, the dihydrogen phosphate ion (H2PO4−) is most common. In strongly-acid conditions, aqueous phosphoric acid (H3PO4) is the main form.

More precisely, considering the following three equilibrium reactions:

H3PO4 ⇌ H+ + H2PO4−
H2PO4− ⇌ H+ + HPO42−
HPO42− ⇌ H+ + PO43−

the corresponding constants at 25°C (in mol/L) are (see phosphoric acid):

K_{a1}=\frac{[\mbox{H}^+][\mbox{H}_2\mbox{PO}_4^-]}{[\mbox{H}_3\mbox{PO}_4]}\simeq 7.5\times10^{-3}
K_{a2}=\frac{[\mbox{H}^+][\mbox{HPO}_4^{2-}]}{[\mbox{H}_2\mbox{PO}_4^-]}\simeq 6.2\times10^{-8}
K_{a3}=\frac{[\mbox{H}^+][\mbox{PO}_4^{3-}]}{[\mbox{HPO}_4^{2-}]}\simeq 2.14\times10^{-13}

For a strongly-basic pH (pH=13), we find

\frac{[\mbox{H}_2\mbox{PO}_4^-]}{[\mbox{H}_3\mbox{PO}_4]}\simeq 7.5\times10^{10} \mbox{ , }\frac{[\mbox{HPO}_4^{2-}]}{[\mbox{H}_2\mbox{PO}_4^-]}\simeq 6.2\times10^5 \mbox{ , } \frac{[\mbox{PO}_4^{3-}]}{[\mbox{HPO}_4^{2-}]}\simeq 2.14

showing that only PO43− and HPO42− are in significant amounts.

For a neutral pH (for example the cytosol pH=7.0), we find

\frac{[\mbox{H}_2\mbox{PO}_4^-]}{[\mbox{H}_3\mbox{PO}_4]}\simeq 7.5\times10^4 \mbox{ , }\frac{[\mbox{HPO}_4^{2-}]}{[\mbox{H}_2\mbox{PO}_4^-]}\simeq 0.62 \mbox{ , } \frac{[\mbox{PO}_4^{3-}]}{[\mbox{HPO}_4^{2-}]}\simeq 2.14\times10^{-6}

so that only H2PO4− and HPO42− ions are in significant amounts (62% H2PO4−, 38% HPO42−). Note that in the extracellular fluid (pH=7.4), this proportion is inverted (61% HPO42−, 39% H2PO4−).

For a strongly-acid pH (pH=1), we find

\frac{[\mbox{H}_2\mbox{PO}_4^-]}{[\mbox{H}_3\mbox{PO}_4]}\simeq 0.075 \mbox{ , }\frac{[\mbox{HPO}_4^{2-}]}{[\mbox{H}_2\mbox{PO}_4^-]}\simeq 6.2\times10^{-7} \mbox{ , } \frac{[\mbox{PO}_4^{3-}]}{[\mbox{HPO}_4^{2-}]}\simeq 2.14\times10^{-12}

showing that H3PO4 is dominant with respect to H2PO4−. HPO42− and PO43− are practically absent.

Phosphate can form many polymeric ions, pyrophosphate), P2O74−, triphosphate, P3O105−, et cetera. The various metaphosphate ions have an empirical formula of PO3− and are found in many compounds.

Phosphate deposits can contain significant amounts of naturally-occurring uranium. Subsequent uptake of such soil amendments can lead to crops containing uranium concentrations.

See also

References

  1. ^ Campbell, Neil A.; Reece, Jane B. (2005). Biology, Seventh Edition, San Francisco, California: Benjamin Cummings, 65. ISBN 0-8053-7171-0. 

3. "Figuring Out Phosphates," Food Product Design, June 2006, Lynn A. Kuntz

Further reading

Schmittner Karl-Erich and Giresse Pierre, 1999. Micro-environmental controls on biomineralization: superficial processes of apatite and calcite precipitation in Quaternary soils, Roussillon, France. Sedimentology 46/3: 463-476.

External links

  • Website of the Technische Universität Darmstadt and the CEEP about Phosphorus Recovery
 
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