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In chemistry, a phosphate is an anion, salt, functional group or ester derived from a phosphoric acid. It most commonly means orthophosphate, a derivative of orthophosphoric acid, a.k.a. phosphoric acid H 3 PO 4. The phosphate or orthophosphate ion [PO 4] 3− is derived from phosphoric acid by the removal of three protons H +.
The general formula of a phosphoric acid is H n−2x+2 P n O 3n−x+1, where n is the number of phosphorus atoms and x is the number of fundamental cycles in the molecule's structure; that is, the minimum number of bonds that would have to be broken to eliminate all cycles.
A sodium phosphate is a generic variety of salts of sodium (Na +) and phosphate (PO 3− 4). Phosphate also forms families or condensed anions including di-, tri-, tetra-, and polyphosphates . Most of these salts are known in both anhydrous (water-free) and hydrated forms.
Phosphate mines contain fossils because phosphate is present in the fossilized deposits of animal remains and excreta. Low phosphate levels are an important limit to growth in a number of plant ecosystems. The vast majority of phosphorus compounds mined are consumed as fertilisers. Phosphate is needed to replace the phosphorus that plants ...
Hydrogen phosphate or monohydrogen phosphate (systematic name) is the inorganic ion with the formula [HPO 4] 2-. Its formula can also be written as [PO 3 (OH)] 2-. Together with dihydrogen phosphate, hydrogenphosphate occurs widely in natural systems. Their salts are used in fertilizers and in cooking. [1]
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Phosphate is also used in animal feed supplements, food preservatives, anti-corrosion agents, cosmetics, fungicides, ceramics, water treatment and metallurgy. The production of fertilizer is the largest source responsible for minerals mined for their phosphate content.
Ammonium phosphate is the inorganic compound with the formula (NH 4) 3 PO 4. It is the ammonium salt of orthophosphoric acid. A related "double salt", (NH 4) 3 PO 4. (NH 4) 2 HPO 4 is also recognized but is impractical to use. Both triammonium salts evolve ammonia.