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Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate, Tetrapotassium Diphosphate, TKPP, KTPP, E450, 7320-34-5

Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate, Tetrapotassium Diphosphate, TKPP, KTPP, E450, 7320-34-5

TETRAPOTASSIUM PYROPHOSPHATE (TKPP)

Potassium Pyrophosphate / Tetrapotassium Diphosphate

CAS Number: 7320-34-5

E Number: E450

1. IDENTIFICATION

Property Information
Product Name Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP)
Abbreviations TKPP, KTPP (used interchangeably)
Chemical Name Potassium Pyrophosphate
Other Names Tetrapotassium Diphosphate, Diphosphoric Acid Potassium Salt, Tetrapotassium Diphosphor, Pyrophosphoric Acid Tetrapotassium Salt, Potassium Diphosphate Tetrabasic, Anhydrous Potassium Pyrophosphate, Tetrapotassium Ion Diphosphate, Tetrakal
Chemical Formula K₄P₂O₇
Molecular Weight 330.34 g/mol
CAS Number 7320-34-5
EINECS Number 230-785-7
Food Additive Code E450
Appearance White crystalline powder or granules
Odor Odorless

2. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP) is a chemical belonging to 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 Features:

Feature Description
Water Softening Forms complexes with Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions found in hard water
Dispersion Ability Strong dispersion capability on fine and dispersed solid molecules thanks to the pyrophosphate ion (P₂O₇⁴⁻)
Homogeneous Mixing Ensures homogeneous mixing of trace and fine materials
High Solubility Very high water solubility
Hygroscopic Strong moisture absorption property

3. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Property Value
Appearance White crystalline powder or granules
Odor Odorless
Density Approx. 2.33 g/cm³
Melting Point 1,090 °C
pH (1% aqueous solution) Approx. 10.5 (alkaline)
Solubility in Water (25°C) 187 g / 100 g water (very high solubility)
Solubility in Ethanol Insoluble
Hygroscopicity Very strong moisture absorption (highly hygroscopic)
Aqueous Solution Property Alkaline character

4. PRODUCTION PROCESS

Tetrapotassium 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 Stages:

Stage Process Conditions
1. Acid Preparation 30% food grade phosphoric acid is prepared and slowly stirred -
2. Neutralization Potassium hydroxide is added; pH is 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 & Cooling After precipitation, cooled below 20°C <20 °C
7. Drying Centrifugation to form trihydrate-di-potassium phosphate; heated to 120–130°C to remove crystal water 120–130 °C
8. Polymerization (Calcination) Calcined in a calciner up to 500–600°C 500–600 °C
9. Cooling Final product is obtained after cooling -

Reactions:

Stage Reaction
Neutralization H₃PO₄ + 2KOH → K₂HPO₄ + 2H₂O
Polymerization 2K₂HPO₄ → K₄P₂O₇ + H₂O (Δ heat)

5. APPLICATIONS

Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP) is a highly versatile chemical with a wide range of applications.

5.1. Food Industry

Application Area Function
Meat Products (Ham, Sausage) Binding properties; increases product yield
Canned Seafood Prevents struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate crystal) formation in salmon, shrimp, mackerel
Fruit Canned Goods Prevents fruit color deterioration
Ice Cream Production Provides swollen and fluffy texture (thanks to hygroscopic and solubility properties)
Coffee Production Increases raw material quantity
Cheese Production As emulsifying salt; pH buffering; promotes emulsification; interacts with milk protein
Food Additive Emulsifier, texturizer, thickener, sequestrant, mineral fortification

5.2. Industrial Applications

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

5.3. Agriculture & Fertilizers

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

5.4. Water Treatment & Softening

Application Area Function
Water Softening Forms complexes with Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions in hard water for water softening
Washing Efficiency Increases the degree of effectiveness of water during washing; helps dirt removal

5.5. Biodegradable Plastics

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

5.6. Other Applications

Application Area Function
Lipid Oxidation Prevention Extends product shelf life by sequestering multivalent cations (as preservative)
Buffering Agent pH buffering
Dispersant As dispersing agent
Protein Modifier Protein modification
Coagulant As coagulating agent
Sequestrant Binds metal ions

6. TOOTHPASTE APPLICATIONS

Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate is used in toothpastes to prevent tartar (dental calculus) formation.

Mechanism Description
Pyrophosphate Source Added to formulations as tetrasodium pyrophosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, and disodium pyrophosphate in toothpastes
Hydroxyapatite Interaction Pyrophosphate interacts with Ca²⁺ ions on hydroxyapatite surfaces with high attraction force
Enamel Protection Reduces binding capacity to proteins by binding hydroxyapatite with Ca²⁺ on enamel surfaces
Calcium Phosphate Prevention Prevents calcium phosphate formation on teeth, thus preventing pellicle (film layer) formation
Fluoride Synergy Fluoride provides better protection when applied together with pyrophosphate-containing tetrasodium pyrophosphate copolymers

7. ADVANTAGES & KEY FEATURES

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

8. COMPARISON WITH TSPP (TETRASODIUM PYROPHOSPHATE)

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

9. SAFETY, STORAGE & HANDLING

Parameter Details
Appearance White crystalline powder or granules
Hygroscopicity Very strong moisture absorption property
Storage Conditions Cool, dry environment; must be stored in airtight containers
Moisture Protection Must be protected from moisture; keep in closed packaging
Solubility Easily soluble in water; insoluble in ethanol
pH 1% aqueous solution is alkaline (approx. pH 10.5)
Incompatible Materials Strong acids, strong oxidizers
Shelf Life 24 months in original unopened packaging

10. REGULATORY INFORMATION

Region Status
European Union Authorized as food additive E450 under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008; REACH registered
USA (FDA) GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) for specified uses; 21 CFR §182.5434
Turkey Compliant with Turkish Food Codex (TGK) Additives Regulation
JECFA Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI): MTDI 70 mg/kg bw as phosphorus from all sources

11. OTHER NAMES & SYNONYMS

Name Description
Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate Full chemical name
TKPP Most common industrial abbreviation
Potassium Pyrophosphate Shortened name
Tetrapotassium Diphosphate Alternative systematic name
Diphosphoric Acid Potassium Salt IUPAC systematic name
Pyrophosphoric Acid Tetrapotassium Salt Alternative name
E450 European food additive code

12. SUMMARY

Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP, CAS: 7320-34-5, E450) is a white crystalline powder or granule with high solubility and strong hygroscopic properties. It dissolves easily in water and its 1% aqueous solution exhibits alkaline properties (pH ~10.5). It has a melting point of 1,090°C.

Key Features:

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

  • Strong chelation ability (forms complexes with Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ ions)

  • Excellent dispersion ability

  • High hygroscopicity

  • Alkaline character

Main Application Areas:

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

  • Toothpastes: Tartar (dental calculus) prevention; 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: Phosphorus source

  • Preservative: Lipid oxidation prevention, shelf life extension

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

Important: This TDS is exclusively for Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate (TKPP, CAS 7320-34-5, K₄P₂O₇) . For emergencies or a detailed Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), contact the manufacturer/supplier.

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