KH2PO4 - Monopotassium Phosphate

What is Monopotassium Phosphate?

Monopotassium Phosphate is the monopotassium salt of phosphoric acid with the formula KH₂PO₄. It is freely soluble in water and insoluble in ethanol. Commercially available as pure KH₂PO₄, when reacted with MgO, produces high-quality ceramics. It is formed by the chloride or potassium carbonate reaction with phosphoric acid and the phosphate is derived in a pure form as a crystalline material. Monopotassium phosphate is prepared industrially by adding 1 mol of a water solution of potassium hydroxide to 1 mol of phosphoric acid.

Other names – Potassium dihydrogen phosphate, Potassium phosphate monobasic, Potassium phosphate monobasic

Monopotassium Phosphate Structure – KH₂PO₄

Physical Properties of Monopotassium Phosphate – KH₂PO₄

Chemical Properties of Monopotassium Phosphate – KH₂PO₄

• Monopotassium Phosphate dissolves in water forms phosphoric acid and potassium hydroxide. The chemical equation is given below.

KH₂PO₄ + H₂O → H₃PO₄ + KOH

• Monopotassium Phosphate reacts with a base like sodium hydroxide forms disodium phosphate, water and potassium hydroxide.

KH₂PO₄ + 2NaOH → H₂O + KOH + Na₂HPO₄

Uses of Monopotassium Phosphate – KH₂PO₄

• Used as a fertilizer because it contains potassium and phosphate that can be applied to both the soil and foliage.
• Used in the manufacture of sodium phosphates, ammonium phosphates, calcium phosphates and other phosphates.
• For color preservation, it is used in eggs and is also used in low-sodium products, meat products and milk products.