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Sodium phosphate is an ionic compound made up of the sodium cation and the phosphate anion. It is a salt that is found in both hydrated and anhydrous salts among which anhydrous sodium phosphate (without water) is more common in nature.
It is synthesized by neutralizing phosphoric acid with sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate under carefully regulated circumstances. Buffers made of sodium phosphate are used to manufacture many pharmaceutically useful compounds. Other names of sodium phosphate are: trisodium phosphate, sodium orthophosphate, tribasic sodium phosphate
KeyTerms: Sodium phosphate, Monophosphate, Sodium monophosphate, Calcium Chloride, Anhydrous salts, Hydrates
What is Sodium Phosphate?
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Sodium Phosphate is also known as Phosphosoda with the formula Na3PO4 is a saline cathartic which is familiar to radiologists as it is often used as a cleansing agent before the double contrast barium enema. Sodium phosphate cradles are the most widely recognized, but there is extensive use of potassium phosphate buffers and mixtures of sodium and potassium.
| Sodium Phosphate (Na3PO4) | |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.62 g/cm³ |
| Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass | 163.94 g/mol |
| Boiling Point | 100ºC |
| Melting Point | 1583ºC |
| Chemical Formula | Na3PO4 |
Read more: Potassium Acetate
Sodium Phosphate Structure
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Sodium phosphate is an ionic compound and therefore has an electrovalent chemical structure. The phosphate anion itself consists of a covalent structure. Sodium atoms have a total of 11 electrons, one of which is in its outermost shell since sodium is an alkali metal. Sodium easily expels the outermost electron to produce the sodium cation. Three Na+ and one PO43- are attracted to each other by the force of electrostatic attraction and a sodium phosphate molecule is generated.
Structure of Sodium Phosphate
Sodium Phosphate Physical Properties
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The physical properties of Sodium Phosphate are as follows:
| Physical Properties | |
|---|---|
| Odour | Odourless |
| Appearance | Off-White Powder |
| Covalently-Bonded Unit | 4 |
| Complexity | 36.8 |
| Hydrogen Bond Acceptor | 4 |
| Solubility | Soluble in water |
Sodium Phosphate Chemical Properties
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The chemical properties of sodium phosphate are as follows:
- Sodium phosphate reacts with hydrochloric acid to form phosphoric acid and sodium chloride. The chemical reaction is illustrated below.
Na3PO4 + 3HCl \(\rightarrow\) H3PO4 + 3NaCl
- Sodium phosphate reacts with calcium chloride to form calcium phosphate and sodium chloride. The chemical reaction is illustrated below.
2Na3PO4 + 3CaCl2 \(\rightarrow\) 6NaCl + Ca3(PO4)2
Read more: Calcium carbide
Uses of Sodium Phosphate:
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Sodium phosphate has significant uses some of them include:
- Short-term local treatment of inflammation with neomycin as bacterial prophylaxis.
- Used after glaucoma surgery or after cataract surgery.
- Used as a mild laxative, it stimulates the emptying of the gallbladder.
- One of the most palatable saline laxatives. It is also used as an oral solution (see below) as an anti hypercaloric.
- Used to control the pH of water hardness precipitation and controlling agent in slightly acidic solutions.
Types of Sodium Phosphate:
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Although trisodium monophosphate (Na3PO4) is much more common, many types of sodium phosphates are added to it. These types include:
- Disodium phosphate or sodium dihydrogen phosphate(Na2HPO4 )
- Monosodium phosphate or sodium dihydrogen phosphate(NaH2PO4)
- Disodium pyrophosphate (Na2H2P2O7)
- Tetrasodium pyrophosphate(Na4P2O7)
Trisodium phosphate is prepared in the laboratory by a simple reaction of sodium hydroxide or caustic soda with phosphoric acid. Three sodium hydroxide molecules are neutralized with tribasic orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) to produce trisodium phosphate salt and water.
H3PO4 + 3NaOH \(\rightarrow\) Na3PO4 + 3H2O
Disodium phosphate is prepared industrially by the action of dicalcium phosphate on sodium bisulfate. Disodium pyrophosphate is prepared by thermal decomposition of monosodium phosphate.
Read more: Uses of sodium hydroxide
Things to Remember:
- Most of the sodium phosphate is made up of my phosphate rocks.
- Consumption of regular and prolonged doses of sodium phosphate becomes harmful to health.
- Patients with kidney failure should avoid foods containing sodium phosphate.
- Consumption of sodium phosphate at high doses leads to decreased bone density, kidney problems, heart disease and even premature death.
- When sodium phosphate is consumed by mixing it with other phosphates, it helps to strengthen phosphorus in the body.
- Meat, beans, lentils and nuts are good sources of phosphates.
- Phosphate can increase the growth of algae 500 times its normal growth in a body of water.
- Graham's salt, Kurrol's salt and Madrell's salt are polyphosphate derivatives.
- Oral sodium phosphate should not be used as a laxative in children under 5 years of age.
Sample Questions:
Ques. What is Sodium Phosphate? (5 marks)
Ans. Sodium phosphate is a generic term for a variety of sodium (Na+) and phosphate (PO4-) salts. Phosphate also forms families or condensed anions including di-, tri-, tetra- and polyphosphates.
Sodium phosphate
- Most of these salts are known both in anhydrous form (without water) and in hydrated form.
- Hydrates are more common than anhydrous forms.
- Sodium phosphates have many applications in food and in water treatment.
For example, sodium phosphates are often used as an emulsifier (such as in cheese making processes), thickening agent, and starting agent for baked goods.
- They are also used to control the pH of processed foods.
- They are also used medicinally for constipation and to prepare the intestines for medical procedures.
- In addition, they are used in detergents to soften water and as an effective anti-rust solution.
Ques. What is the common name for Sodium Phosphate? (1 mark)
Ans. Sodium phosphate also known as phospho soda with the formula Na3PO4 is a saline cathartic that is familiar to radiologists since it is often used as a cleansing agent prior to double contrast barium enema.
Ques. What if your phosphate levels are low? (2 marks)
Ans. Elevated phosphate levels rarely contribute to symptoms of hypophosphatemia. Commonly the symptoms arise from the underlying disorder causing hypophosphatemia. Very low levels of phosphate can cause breathing difficulties, restlessness, altered mental status, muscle weakness, and muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis.
Ques. What is the difference between monobasic and dibasic sodium phosphate? (2 marks)
Ans. Sodium phosphate monobasic has the chemical formula of NaH2PO4 and the chemical formula of Na2HPO4 has sodium phosphate dibasic. Since dibasic sodium phosphate dissolves in water, the basicity of the medium is higher than when monobasic sodium phosphate dissolves in water.
Ques. Are Phosphates Healthy for Human Health or not? (2 marks)
Ans. Phosphorus is a macronutrient in the animal body. It is an essential part of nucleic acids, cell membranes, phospholipids, and signal transduction molecules. It plays an important role in the formation of bones and teeth. It has important metabolic roles. It is very important for photosynthesis in plants.Therefore, phosphate is very essential for humans, animals and plants.
Ques. What is sodium phosphate used for in medicine? (2 marks)
Ans. Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate are sources of phosphorus, a natural material that is essential in every cell of the body. Sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate is a combination drug used in adults before a colonoscopy to relieve constipation and cleanse the bowels.
Ques. What is sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate? (1 mark)
Ans. Sodium phosphate, monobasic (monohydrate) is a reagent commonly used in molecular biology, biochemistry and chromatography with a very high buffering capacity. Monobasic sodium phosphate is extremely hygroscopic and soluble in water.
Ques. What is oral Sodium Phosphate? (1 mark)
Ans. Oral sodium phosphates cleanse the intestines, making stools frequent, loose, and watery. These agents work by causing fluid loss, so patients are recommended to drink large amounts of clear fluids as part of bowel preparation.
Ques. Is sodium phosphate acid or a base? (1 mark)
Ans. Sodium phosphate is a salt which is obtained by the reaction of phosphoric acid and sodium hydroxide.
Ques. What type of reaction is sodium phosphate? (1 mark)
Ans. Polymeric sodium phosphates are formed upon heating mixtures of NaH2PO4 and Na2HPO4, which induces a condensation reaction.
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