Above is a ball-and-stick model of the inorganic phosphate molecule (HPO₄²⁻). Colour coding: P (orange); O (red); H (white).

In inorganic chemistry, a phosphate is a salt of phosphoric acid. Phosphates are also important in biochemistry. armchair conformational isomerism of Cyclohexane. ... Inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the properties and reactions of inorganic compounds. ... In chemistry, a molecule is an aggregate of at least two atoms in a definite arrangement held together by special forces. ... This article is about the chemical element. ... General Name, Symbol, Number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series Nonmetals, chalcogens Group, Period, Block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless (gas) very pale blue (liquid) Atomic mass 15. ... General Name, Symbol, Number hydrogen, H, 1 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 1, 1, s Appearance colorless Atomic mass 1. ... Inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the properties and reactions of inorganic compounds. ... A magnified crystal of a salt (halite/sodium chloride) In chemistry, a salt is any ionic compound composed of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions so that the product is neutral and without a net charge. ... Phosphoric acid, also known as orthophosphoric acid or phosphoric(V) acid, is an inorganic mineral acid having the chemical formula H3PO4. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Chemical properties

This is the structural formula of the phosphoric acid functional group as found in a weakly acidic aqueous solution. In more basic aqueous solutions, the group will donate the two hydrogen atoms and ionize as a phosphate group with a negative charge of 2. ^[1]

The phosphate ion is a polyatomic ion with the empirical formula PO₄³⁻ and a molecular mass of 94.97 daltons; it consists of one central phosphorus atom surrounded by four identical oxygen atoms in a tetrahedral arrangement. The phosphate ion carries a negative three formal charge and is the conjugate base of the hydrogenphosphate ion, HPO₄²⁻, which is the conjugate base of H₂PO₄⁻, the dihydrogen phosphate ion, which in turn is the conjugate base of H₃PO₄, phosphoric acid. It is a hypervalent molecule (the phosphorous atom has 10 electrons in its valence shell). Many chemical compounds, especially hydrocarbons, can exist in different geometric configurations. ... Phosphoric acid, also known as orthophosphoric acid or phosphoric(V) acid, is an inorganic mineral acid having the chemical formula H3PO4. ... In organic chemistry functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules, that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. ... For alternative meanings see acid (disambiguation). ... Drinking water This article focuses on water as we experience it every day. ... The common (Arrhenius) definition of a base is a chemical compound that either donates hydroxide ions or absorbs hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. ... General Name, Symbol, Number hydrogen, H, 1 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 1, 1, s Appearance colorless Atomic mass 1. ... Properties For other uses, see Atom (disambiguation). ... An ion is an atom or group of atoms that normally are electrically neutral and achieve their status as an ion by loss (or addition) of an electron. ... A polyatomic ion is an ion consisting of a molecule with covalently bonded atoms or of a metal complex that can be considered as acting as a single unit in the context of acid/base chemistry or in the formation of salts. ... An ion is an atom or group of atoms that normally are electrically neutral and achieve their status as an ion by loss (or addition) of an electron. ... In chemistry, the empirical formula of a chemical is a simple expression of the relative number of each type of atom (called a chemical element) in it. ... This article is about the chemical element. ... General Name, Symbol, Number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series Nonmetals, chalcogens Group, Period, Block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless (gas) very pale blue (liquid) Atomic mass 15. ... The unified atomic mass unit (u), or dalton (Da), is a small unit of mass used to express atomic and molecular masses. ... Properties For other uses, see Atom (disambiguation). ... A tetrahedron (plural: tetrahedra) is a polyhedron composed of four triangular faces, three of which meet at each vertex. ... In chemistry, a formal charge (FC) on an atom in a molecule is defined as: FC = number of valence electrons of the atom - number of Lone pair electrons on this atom - half the total number of electrons participating in covalent bonds with this atom. ... Within the Brønsted-Lowry (protonic) theory of acids and bases, a conjugate acid is the acid member, HX, of a pair of two compounds that transform into each other by gain or loss of a proton. ... A hypervalent molecule is a molecule that contains one or more typical elements (group 1, 2, 13-18) formally bearing more than eight electrons in their valence shells. ... The valence shell is the outermost shell of an atom, which contains the electrons most likely to account for the nature of any reactions involving the atom and of the bonding interactions it has with other atoms. ...

A phosphate salt forms when a positively charged ion attaches to the negatively charged oxygen atoms of the ion, forming an ionic compound. Many phosphates are insoluble in water at standard temperature and pressure, except for the alkali metal salts. A magnified crystal of a salt (halite/sodium chloride) In chemistry, a salt is any ionic compound composed of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions so that the product is neutral and without a net charge. ... A chemical compound is a chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemically bonded chemical elements, with a fixed ratio determining the composition. ... It has been suggested that Solid solubility be merged into this article or section. ... Impact of a drop of water. ... Temperature and air pressure can vary from one place to another on the Earth, and can also vary in the same place with time. ... The alkali metals are the series of elements in Group 1 (IUPAC style) of the periodic table (excluding hydrogen in all but one rare circumstance): lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), caesium (Cs), and francium (Fr). ...

In dilute aqueous solution, phosphate exists in four forms. In strongly basic conditions, the phosphate ion (PO₄³⁻) predominates, while 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: Drinking water This article focuses on water as we experience it every day. ...

H₃PO₄ ⇌ H⁺ + H₂PO₄⁻

H₂PO₄⁻ ⇌ H⁺ + HPO₄²⁻

HPO₄²⁻ ⇌ H⁺ + PO₄³⁻

the corresponding constants at 25°C (in mol/L) are (see phosphoric acid): Phosphoric acid, also known as orthophosphoric acid or phosphoric(V) acid, is an inorganic mineral acid having the chemical formula H3PO4. ...

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

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

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

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

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

Phosphate can form many polymeric ions, diphosphate (also pyrophosphate), P₂O₇⁴⁻, triphosphate, P₃O₁₀⁵⁻, et cetera. The various metaphosphate ions have an empirical formula of PO₃⁻ and are found in many compounds. In chemistry, the anion, the salts, and the esters of pyrophosphoric acid are called pyrophosphates. ...

Phosphate deposits can contain significant amounts of naturally occurring uranium. Subsequent uptake of such soil amendments can lead to crops containing uranium concentrations. General Name, Symbol, Number uranium, U, 92 Chemical series actinides Group, Period, Block n/a, 7, f Appearance silvery gray metallic; corrodes to a spalling black oxide coat in air Atomic mass 238. ...

Occurrence

Shown is a sample of phosphate rock alongside a United States one-cent coin (for scale).

Phosphates are the naturally occurring form of the element phosphorus, found in many phosphate minerals. Elemental phosphorus and phosphides are not found (rare phosphide minerals may be found in meteorites). In mineralogy and geology, phosphate refers to a rock or ore containing phosphate ions. Phosphate rock Source: US Government File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Phosphate rock Source: US Government File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The United States one-cent coin, commonly called a penny, is a unit of currency equaling 1100 of a United States dollar. ... Strictly, a mineral that is a phosphate. ... A phosphide ion is a phosphorus atom with three extra electrons and charge -3. ... Minerals are natural compounds formed through geological processes. ... Worlds second largest Meteorite in Culiacan, Mexico A meteorite is a relatively small extra-terrestrial body that reaches the Earths surface. ... Mineralogy is an earth science that involves the chemistry, crystal structure, and physical (including optical) properties of minerals. ... The Blue Marble: The famous photo of the Earth taken en route to the Moon by Apollo 17s Harrison Schmitt on December 7, 1972. ...

The largest rock phosphate deposits in North America lie in the Bone Valley region of central Florida, United States, the Soda Springs region of Idaho, and the coast of North Carolina. Smaller deposits are located in Montana, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina near Charleston along Ashley Phosphate road. The small island nation of Nauru, which used to have massive phosphate deposits of the best quality, has been mined excessively. Rock phosphate can also be found on Navassa Island. Morocco, Tunisia, Israel, Togo, and Jordan have large phosphate mining industries as well. World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... The Bone Valley is a region of central Florida, encompassing portions of present-day Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Polk counties, in which phosphate is mined for use in the production of agricultural fertilizer. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Official language(s) None Capital Boise Largest city Boise Area  Ranked 14th  - Total 83,642 sq. ... This article is the current U.S. Collaboration of the Week. ... Official language(s) English Capital Helena Largest city Billings Area  Ranked 4th  - Total 147,165 sq mi (381,156 km²)  - Width 255 miles (410 km)  - Length 630 miles (1,015 km)  - % water 1  - Latitude 44°26 N to 49° N  - Longitude 104°2 W to 116°2 W Population  Ranked... Official language(s) English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Area  Ranked 36th  - Total 42,169 sq mi (109,247 km²)  - Width 120 miles (195 km)  - Length 440 miles (710 km)  - % water 2. ... Official language(s) English Capital Charleston(1670-1789) Columbia(1790-present) Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32°430N to 35... Nickname: The Holy City, The Palmetto City, Chucktown Motto: Aedes Mores Juraque Curat (She cares for her temples, customs, and rights) Location of Charleston in South Carolina. ...

In biological systems, phosphorus is found as a free phosphate ion in solution and is called inorganic phosphate, to distinguish it from phosphates bound in various phosphate esters. Inorganic phosphate is generally denoted P_i and can be created by the hydrolysis of pyrophosphate, which is denoted PP_i: For other uses, see Life (disambiguation), Lives (disambiguation) or Living (disambiguation), Living Things (disambiguation) Look up life, living in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... General formula of a carboxylate ester. ...

P₂O₇⁴⁻ + H₂O → 2HPO₄²⁻

However, phosphates are most commonly found in the form of adenosine phosphates, (AMP, ADP and ATP) and in DNA and RNA and can be released by the hydrolysis of ATP or ADP. Similar reactions exist for the other nucleoside diphosphates and triphosphates. Phosphoanhydride bonds in ADP and ATP, or other nucleoside diphosphates and triphosphates, contain high amounts of energy which give them their vital role in all living organisms. They are generally referred to as high energy phosphate, as are the phosphagens in muscle tissue. Compounds such as substituted phosphines, have uses in organic chemistry but do not seem to have any natural counterparts. Adenosine monophosphate, also known as 5-adenylic acid and abbreviated AMP, is a nucleotide that is found in RNA. It is an ester of phosphoric acid with the nucleoside adenosine. ... Adenosine diphosphate, abbreviated ADP, is a nucleotide. ... Adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP), discovered in 1929 by Karl Lohmann,[1] is a multifunctional nucleotide primarily known in biochemistry as the molecular currency of intracellular energy transfer. ... The general structure of a section of DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions for the biological development of a cellular form of life or a virus. ... Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a nucleic acid polymer consisting of nucleotide monomers. ... Nucleosides are glycosylamines made by attaching a nucleobase (often reffered to simply as bases) to a ribose ring. ... High energy phosphate can mean one of a couple things: It can mean the phosphate-phosphate bonds formed when compounds such as adenosine diphosphate and adenosine triphosphate are created. ... The phosphagens are energy storage compounds, also known as high energy phosphate compounds, are chiefly found in muscular tissue in animals. ... Phosphine is the common name for phosphorus hydride (PH3), also known by the IUPAC name phosphane and, occasionally, phosphamine. ...

In ecological terms, because of its important role in biological systems, phosphate is a highly sought after resource. Consequently, it is often a limiting reagent in environments, and its availability may govern the rate of growth of organisms. Addition of high levels of phosphate to environments in which it is typically rare can have significant ecological consequences. For example, booms in the populations of some organisms at the expense of others, and the collapse of populations deprived of resources such as oxygen (see eutrophication). In the context of pollution, phosphates are a principal component of total dissolved solids, a major indicator of water quality. Ernst Haeckel coined the term oekologie in 1866. ... In chemistry, the limiting reagent is the chemical that determines how far the reaction will go before the chemical in question gets used up, causing the reaction to stop. ... General Name, Symbol, Number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series Nonmetals, chalcogens Group, Period, Block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless (gas) very pale blue (liquid) Atomic mass 15. ... Eutrophication is apparent as increased turbidity in the northern part of the Caspian Sea, imaged from orbit. ... Water pollution Pollution is the release of chemical, physical, biological or radioactive contaminants to the environment. ... Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is that portion of solids in water that can pass through a 2 micrometre filter. ...

Uses

The image above shows the annual mean sea surface phosphate concentrations for the World Ocean. Click on the image for a closer look. ^[2]

Phosphates are often used in laundry detergent as a water softener, but, because of algae boom-bust cycles tied to emission of phosphates into watersheds, phosphate detergent sale or usage is restricted in some areas. The term World Ocean refers to the interconnected system of the planet Earths marine waters. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

In agriculture phosphate refers to one of the three primary plant nutrients, and it is a component of fertilizers. Rock phosphate is quarried from phosphate beds in sedimentary rocks. In former times it was simply crushed and used as is, but the crude form is now used only in organic farming. Normally it is chemically treated to make superphosphate, triple superphosphate, or ammonium phosphates, which have higher concentration of phosphate and are also more soluble, therefore more quickly usable by plants. Divisions Green algae Chlorophyta Charophyta Land plants (embryophytes) Non-vascular plants (bryophytes) Marchantiophyta - liverworts Anthocerotophyta - hornworts Bryophyta - mosses Vascular plants (tracheophytes) †Rhyniophyta - rhyniophytes †Zosterophyllophyta - zosterophylls Lycopodiophyta - clubmosses †Trimerophytophyta - trimerophytes Equisetophyta - horsetails Pteridophyta - true ferns Psilotophyta - whisk ferns Ophioglossophyta - adderstongues Seed plants (spermatophytes) †Pteridospermatophyta - seed ferns Pinophyta - conifers Cycadophyta - cycads Ginkgophyta... spreading manure, an organic fertilizer Fertilizers or fertilisers (British English) are compounds given to plants with the intention of promoting growth; they are usually applied either via the soil, for uptake by plant roots, or by foliar feeding, for uptake through leaves. ... Sedimentary, volcanic, plutonic, metamorphic rock types of North America. ... A small cinder quarry A dimension stone quarry A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted. ... Two types of sedimentary rock: limey shale overlaid by limestone. ... Organic cultivation of mixed vegetables in Capay, California. ... Superphosphate is a fertiliser produced by the action of concentrated Sulphuric Acid on ground phosphate rock. ... Triple Superphosphate is a fertilizer produced by the action of concentrated phosphoric acid on ground phosphate rock. ... Ammonium phosphate. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Solution. ...

Fertilizer grades normally have three numbers; the first is the available nitrogen, the second is the available phosphate (expressed on a P₂O₅ basis), and the third is the available potash (expressed on a K₂O basis). Thus a 10-10-10 fertilizer would contain ten percent of each, with the remainder being filler. General Name, Symbol, Number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless Atomic mass 14. ... Potash Potash (or carbonate of potash) is an impure form of potassium carbonate (K2CO3) mixed with other potassium salts. ...

Surface runoff of phosphates from excessively fertilized farmland can be a cause of phosphate pollution leading to eutrophication (nutrient enrichment), algal bloom and consequent oxygen deficit. This can lead to anoxia for fish and other aquatic life in the same manner as phosphate-based detergents. Runoff flowing into a stormwater drain Surface runoff is water, from rain, snowmelt, or other sources, that flows over the land surface, and is a major component of the water cycle[1][2]. Runoff that occurs on surfaces before reaching a channel is also called overland flow. ... Water pollution Pollution is the release of chemical, physical, biological or radioactive contaminants to the environment. ... Eutrophication is apparent as increased turbidity in the northern part of the Caspian Sea, imaged from orbit. ... An algal bloom is a relatively rapid increase in the population of (usually) phytoplankton algae in an aquatic system. ... Asphyxia is a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body. ... The Guppy, also known as guppie (Poecilia reticulata) is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species in the world. ...

Notes

1. ^ Campbell, Neil A., Reece, Jane B. (2005). Biology, Seventh Edition, San Francisco, California: Benjamin Cummings, 65. ISBN 0-8053-7266-4.
2. ^ On-line Objective Analyses and Statistics (HTML/ASCII). World Ocean Atlas 2001. National Oceanographic Data Center, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (2003).

Neil A. Campbell (1946 – 2004) was an American scientist known best for his Biology textbook. ... Nickname: The City by the Bay; Fog City Location of the City and County of San Francisco, California Coordinates: City-County San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom Area    - City 600. ...

References