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Tetra Potassium Pyrophosphate, Potassium Pyrophosphate, TKPP​​​​​​​, E450, 7320-34-5

Tetra Potassium Pyrophosphate, Potassium Pyrophosphate, TKPP, E450, 7320-34-5

Tetra Potassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP)

1. Product Identity

Property Details
Product Name Tetra Potassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP)
CAS Number 7320-34-5
Molecular Formula K₄P₂O₇
Molecular Weight 330.34 g/mol
Chemical Name Potassium Pyrophosphate
E Number E 450
Other Names Potassium Pyrophosphate, Tetra Potassium Diphosphate, Diphosphoric Acid Potassium Salt, Tetra Potassium Diphosphor, Pyrophosphoric Acid Tetra Potassium Salt, Tetra Potassium Phosphonato Phosphate, Potassium pyrophosphate, Tetrabasic Potassium Diphosphate, Anhydrous Potassium Pyrophosphate, Tetra Potassium Ion Diphosphate, Potassium Diphosphate 98% Extra Pure, Tetrakal

2. Product Description

Tetra Potassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP) is a chemical from the polymeric pyrophosphate group. It has similar properties to Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate (TSPP) but exhibits higher solubility. It has the ability to undergo chelation reactions with alkaline earth and heavy metal ions.

Key Characteristics:

  • Forms complexes with Mg⁺² and Ca⁺² ions in hard water, providing water softening

  • Strong dispersing ability on fine and dispersed solid molecules due to the pyrophosphate ion (P₂O₇⁻⁴)

  • Enables homogeneous mixing of trace and fine materials

  • High solubility and hygroscopic properties

3. Physical and Chemical Properties

Property Value
Appearance White crystalline powder or granules
Odor Odorless
Density -
Melting Point 1090 °C
pH (1% aqueous solution) Approximately 10.5 (alkaline)
Solubility in Water 187 g per 100 g water at 25°C (high solubility)
Solubility in Ethanol Insoluble
Hygroscopicity Very strong moisture absorption (highly hygroscopic)
Aqueous Solution Property Alkaline character

4. Production Method

Tetra Potassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP) is produced by neutralization and calcination methods.

Raw Materials Used:

  • 1 mol Food grade 85% Phosphoric Acid (H₃PO₄)

  • 2 mol Food grade Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)

Production Process:

Stage Process Conditions
1. Acid Preparation 30% food grade phosphoric acid is prepared and slowly mixed -
2. Neutralization Potassium hydroxide is added, pH maintained at 8.4 pH 8.4
3. Decolorization Activated carbon is added -
4. Filtration Insoluble materials are removed -
5. Concentration Solution is heated to 100-125°C 100-125 °C
6. Precipitation and Cooling After precipitation, cooled below 20°C <20 °C
7. Drying Centrifugation for trihydrate-di-potassium phosphate formation; heated to 120-130°C to remove crystal water 120-130 °C
8. Polymerization (Calcination) Calcined in a calciner at 500-600°C 500-600 °C
9. Cooling Final product obtained after cooling -

Reactions:

  1. Neutralization Stage:
    H₃PO₄ + 2KOH → K₂HPO₄ + 2H₂O

  2. Polymerization Stage:
    2K₂HPO₄ [Delta] → K₄P₂O₇ + H₂O

5. Use in Toothpastes and Its Effect

Tetra Potassium Pyrophosphate is used in toothpastes to prevent tartar formation.

Mechanism of Action Description
Pyrophosphate Source Added to toothpaste formulations as tetrasodium pyrophosphate, tetra potassium pyrophosphate, and disodium pyrophosphate
Hydroxyapatite Interaction Pyrophosphate interacts with Ca⁺² ions on hydroxyapatite surfaces with high attraction force
Enamel Protection Hydroxyapatite binds enamel surfaces with Ca⁺², reducing protein binding capacity
Calcium Phosphate Prevention Prevents calcium phosphate formation on teeth, inhibiting pellicle formation
Fluoride Synergy Fluoride provides better protection when applied with tetrasodium pyrophosphate copolymers containing pyrophosphate

6. Applications and Uses

Tetra Potassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP) is a versatile chemical with a wide range of applications.

6.1. Food Industry

Application Area Function
Meat Products (Ham, Sausage) Binding properties, increasing product yield
Canned Seafood Prevention of struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals) formation in salmon, shrimp, mackerel
Fruit Canned Products Prevention of fruit color deterioration
Ice Cream Production Providing fluffy and voluminous texture (due to hygroscopic and solubility properties)
Coffee Production Increasing raw material quantity
Cheese Production As emulsifying salt, pH buffering, promoting emulsification, interaction with milk protein
Food Additive Emulsifier, texturizer, thickener, sequestrant, mineral supplement

6.2. Industrial Applications

Application Area Function
Electroplating Complexing agent in cyanide-free plating methods; used together with potassium sodium tartrate
Ceramic Industry Clay dispersing agent
Oil Field Applications High-temperature stabilizing salt in treatment fluid production; hydraulic fracturing property
Drilling Applications As dispersant in drilling fluid additives; as completion fluids
Latex Paints Dispersing agent by forming low and stable high-viscosity solutions; aids pigment wetting
Metal Surface Treatment Coating and surface treatment agent; strong phosphate effects for phosphate coating of metal surfaces
Lubricants In the manufacture of lubricant additives and lubricants
Textile Used together with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate for cleaning stains and dirt on fabrics
Industrial Cleaning Drying agent in cleaning food industry equipment (heat exchangers, air evacuation equipment, etc.)

6.3. Agriculture and Fertilizer

Application Area Function
Phosphorus Source Important phosphorus source for plants (plays role in production of nucleic acids, phospholipids, coenzymes)
Calcareous Soils Phosphorus source for plants grown in calcareous soils

6.4. Water Treatment and Softening

Application Area Function
Water Softening Water softening by forming complexes with Mg⁺² and Ca⁺² ions in hard water
Washing Efficiency Increases effectiveness of water during washing, aids in cleaning dirt

6.5. Biodegradable Plastics

Application Area Function
Bioplastic Production As phosphorus source in production of biodegradable, water-soluble plastics

6.6. Other Applications

Application Area Function
Lipid Oxidation Prevention Extending product shelf life by sequestering polyvalent cations (as preservative)
Buffering Agent pH buffering
Dispersing Agent As dispersant
Protein Modifier Protein modification
Coagulant As coagulating agent
Sequestrant Binding metal ions

7. Advantages and Key Features

Feature Advantage
High Solubility Higher solubility compared to Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate (TSPP)
Low Temperature Performance Precipitation problems at low temperatures seen with other phosphate groups do not occur with TKPP
Chelation Ability Chelation reaction with alkaline earth and heavy metal ions
Dispersing Ability Strong dispersion on fine and dispersed solid molecules due to pyrophosphate ion
Hygroscopic Property Very strong moisture absorption capacity
Alkaline Character pH ~10.5 in 1% solution

8. Comparison with Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate (TSPP)

Property Tetra Potassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP) Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate (TSPP)
Chemical Formula K₄P₂O₇ Na₄P₂O₇
Solubility Higher Lower
Hygroscopicity Very high High
pH (1% solution) ~10.5 ~10.2
Basic Properties Same basic properties as TSPP Same basic properties as TKPP

9. Safety and Storage

Parameter Details
Appearance White crystalline powder or granules
Hygroscopicity Very strong moisture absorption
Storage Conditions Cool, dry environment; store in airtight containers
Moisture Protection Must be protected from moisture, kept in sealed packaging
Solubility Easily soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol
pH 1% aqueous solution is alkaline (approximately pH 10.5)

10. Summary

Tetra Potassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP, CAS: 7320-34-5, E 450) is a white crystalline powder or granule with high solubility and highly hygroscopic properties. It dissolves easily in water, and its 1% aqueous solution shows alkaline character (pH ~10.5). It has a melting point of 1090°C.

Key Properties:

  • High solubility (187 g per 100 g water at 25°C)

  • Strong chelation ability (forms complexes with Mg⁺², Ca⁺² ions)

  • Excellent dispersing ability

  • High hygroscopicity

  • Alkaline character

Main Application Areas:

  • Food Industry: Meat products (ham, sausage), canned seafood (struvite prevention), ice cream (fluffy texture), cheese (emulsifying salt), coffee, fruit canned products

  • Toothpastes: Prevention of tartar formation, synergistic effect with fluoride

  • Industrial Applications: Electroplating, ceramics, oil field, drilling, latex paints, metal surface treatment, textile, industrial cleaning

  • Agriculture: Fertilizer as phosphorus source

  • Water Treatment: Water softening

  • Bioplastics: As phosphorus source

  • Preservative: Lipid oxidation prevention, shelf life extension

TKPP has a wide range of applications in food, cosmetic, industrial, and agricultural fields due to its versatile chemical properties. Its high solubility and chelation ability make it advantageous in many applications compared to other phosphate derivatives.

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