Sodium Hexametaphosphate (NaPO3)6: Structure, Properties and Uses

Sodium hexametaphosphate is a clean and nontoxic phosphate. Generally known by the name of Calgon, Sodium Hexametaphosphate is a salt that consists of six molecular compositions. The chemical formula of Sodium Hexametaphosphate is NaPO₃. This article discusses all the details about Sodium hexametaphosphate. Related solved questions of the concept are also there.

Key terms: Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Calgon, Sodium polymetaphosphate, polymeric metaphosphates, Graham's salt, SHMP, Hexasodium.

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What is Sodium Hexametaphosphate?

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Sodium Hexametaphosphate refers to a group of chemical compounds. The Hexametaphosphate atom holds six other atoms too. Sodium Hexametaphosphate is also known as Sodium polymetaphosphate and Calgon. This phosphate is a mix of polymeric metaphosphates. As clear by the name itself, this chemical compound is a hexamer that contains repeated units of NaPO₃. This means that Sodium Hexametaphosphate is a polymer that has six molecular compositions of a monomer. Hexa means six, therefore, this polymer has six molecular compositions of a monomer. 

Sodium Hexametaphosphate compound is soluble in water, but not in organic solvents. Moreover, it has a circulation of multiple polyphosphate chain lengths. Sodium Hexametaphosphate is formed as a result of a thermal procedure which consists of monosodium orthophosphate. In other words, from soda ash and food-grade phosphoric acid. Hence, Sodium hexametaphosphate is an inorganic monobasic sodium phosphate compound with the chemical formula (NaPO₃)₆ or Na₆P₆O₁₈.

Other names: Sodium polymetaphosphate, Calgon, (NaPO₃)₆, Na₆P₆O₁₈. Graham's salt, SHMP, Hexasodium, Hexasodium salt.

Read more: Properties of bases

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Structure of Sodium Hexametaphosphate 

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The structure of Sodium Hexametaphosphate (NaPO₃)₆ can be shown in these two diagrams.

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Physical properties of Sodium Hexametaphosphate

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Sodium Hexametaphosphate is odourless, which means it doesn't have a smell of its own. Due to this phosphate being a salt, it is also crystal white in appearance along with being odourless. 

• The refractive index of sodium hexametaphosphate is 1.482. The pH level of sodium hexametaphosphate is 8.6. 
• Sodium hexametaphosphate is generally soluble in water and insoluble in organic solvents. 
• Sodium hexametaphosphate generally appears translucent or transparent under the light. 
• This table presents the physical properties of sodium hexametaphosphate.

Read more: Phosphoric Acid

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Chemical Properties of Sodium Hexametaphosphate

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• The boiling point for sodium Hexametaphosphate is 1500° Celsius while the melting point is 628° Celsius. 
• The molecular weight of sodium hexametaphosphate is 611.77 g/mol and its density is 2.48 g/cm³.
• If exposed to water-based solutions, sodium hexametaphosphate compounds can hydrolyse either into sodium trimetaphosphate or into sodium orthophosphate. 
• The following table presents the chemical Properties of Sodium Hexametaphosphate in a tabular form.

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Uses of Sodium Hexametaphosphate

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Sodium hexametaphosphate is used for a variety of purposes such as industrial, consumer and agricultural purposes.

Industrial uses of Sodium Hexametaphosphate

• Adding additives is a necessary step to obtain a proper fluid paste in order to prepare solutions in industries for the production of ceramics. Hence, the compound Sodium Hexametaphosphate (NaPO₃)₆ is used as a dispersing agent for the manufacturing of ceramics and enamels.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate is used in the paint industry. 
• Due to the nature of phosphates, Sodium Hexametaphosphate is also utilized to convert pulp into paper. 
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate is also useful in the food preservation industry because it can keep food fresh for a longer time. 
• Along with that, sodium Hexametaphosphate is also used in toothpaste as it can reduce the formation of tartar in the mouth.
• It is used in boilers in industries also because it can decrease the hardness of water at a great level. It has wide applications in the ceramics industry. 

Agricultural and Consumer Uses of Sodium Hexametaphosphate

• Sodium Hexametaphosphate is used in agricultural chemicals for the growth of plants and to increase their productivity. It primarily gets applied for non-pesticidal purposes that do not interfere in pests’ interaction.
• It also gets used as a water-retaining agent. Due to this property, the complex finds its applications in meat and sausage processing. It enables non-vegetarian foods to last for a long period and reduces their antimicrobial activities.
• The compound also acts as a stabiliser for canned fruits, and milk, and it helps in maintaining its natural colour. 
• Along with that, sodium hexametaphosphate is also utilised in artificial maple syrup, packaged egg whites, fish fillets and salad dressing.
• Industries use sodium hexametaphosphate for storing beverages for a longer span. 

Read more: Solubility

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Side Effects of Sodium Hexametaphosphate

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Sodium hexametaphosphate or Graham’s Salt is a whitish powdery substance consisting of sodium and metaphosphates. Though the chemical compound has a plethora of applications in various sectors, it can also have some side effects on human beings along with plants due to its prolonged exposure. 

• If found in aquatic settings, Sodium Hexametaphosphate can harm the surroundings and the environment.
• If inhaled or swallowed, Sodium Hexametaphosphate can induce vomiting and diarrhoea.
• This compound can also cause headache and dizziness when it gets absorbed by a person for short durations.
• It also becomes a reason behind fever, tiredness and low blood pressure when it gets injected into a body for a short span.
• Gastrointestinal infection and allergic reactions can also be caused by Sodium hexametaphosphate if someone comes in its exposure for fewer periods. 
• Meanwhile, Prolonged exposure to the compound can slow pulse rate, cyanosis and even coma disease along with acute spasms in the body and wrist. If anyone comes in close contact with the compound for a larger span, it causes pancreatic cancer. 
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate is even capable of increasing cancer-causing cells in the body.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate can cause eye irritation, If someone comes in close contact with this compound. But, the complication of the circumstance can vary with the prevalent concentration of this substance.
• Kidney problems can also be an evident side-effect of the sodium Hexametaphosphate compound on a body. 
• If sensitive skinned people come in direct contact with this chemical compound via open wounds, abrasions or lesions it can result in damage to their skin. 

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Things to Remember

• Sodium Hexametaphosphate is a chemical compound with a mix of polymeric metaphosphates. It is a salt.
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate is soluble in water and insoluble in organic solvents.
• Sodium polymetaphosphate, Calgon, (NaPO₃)₆ and Na₆P₆O₁₈ are some other names for Sodium Hexametaphosphate.
• The boiling point for sodium Hexametaphosphate is 1500° Celsius while the melting point is 628° Celsius. 
• The refractive index of sodium hexametaphosphate is 1.482. The pH level of sodium hexametaphosphate is 8.6. 
• Sodium hexametaphosphate is used for industrial agriculture and chemical purposes. It is used as a surfactant, emulsifier, suspending agent, and as dispersing agent too.
• The chemical compound has a plethora of applications in various sectors, it can also have some side effects on human beings along with plants due to its prolonged exposure. 

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