Molar mass 174.2 g/mol Density 2.44 g/cm³ | Formula K2HPO4 Soluble in Water | |
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Related compounds IUPAC ID Potassium hydrogen phosphate Appearance white powder; deliquescent | ||
Dipotassium phosphate (K2HPO4) (also dipotassium hydrogen orthophosphate; potassium phosphate dibasic) is a highly water-soluble salt which is often used as a fertilizer, food additive and buffering agent. It is a common source of phosphorus and potassium.
Contents
A dipotassium phosphate solution is formed by the stoichiometric reaction of phosphoric acid with two equivalents of potassium hydroxide:
H3PO4 + 2 KOH → K2HPO4 + 2 H2OUses
As a food additive, dipotassium phosphate is used in imitation dairy creamers, dry powder beverages, mineral supplements, and starter cultures. It is used in non-dairy creamers to prevent coagulation.
Dipotassium phosphate is also used to make buffer solutions and it is used in the production of trypticase soy agar which is used to make agar plates for culturing bacteria.
A 3% gel of dipotassium phosphate is used as the active ingredient in Crest Sensi-Strips, a common tooth sensitivity product.
Safety
As a food additive, dipotassium phosphate is categorized in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration as generally recognized as safe (GRAS).