Industry Grade Food Grade 99% Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate CAS 7722-88-5

What is Tetrasodium pyrophosphate (CAS 7722-88-5)?

Tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) is a sodium salt of pyrophosphate and is a member of the family of condensed phosphates (polyphosphates). The usual chemical formula is written as:

Na4P2O7. Decahydrate CAS No.: 7722-88-5 Molecular weight: ~265.90 CAS No.: 13472-36-1

At room temperature it is a white crystalline powder or granules, the anhydrous form being a white powder and the decahydrate form being colorless or white crystals. It is slightly hygroscopic and has a relative density of about 2.53 and a melting point of about 988 °C. Sodium pyrophosphate is easily soluble in water . The aqueous solution is alkaline ( pH of 1 % aqueous solution is about 10 ) . It is not soluble in Ethanol.

From a molecular framework point of view, sodium pyrophosphate is made up of four sodium ions (Na+) and one pyrophosphate ion (P2O7⁴-). The pyrophosphate ion is formed by condensation and dehydration of two phosphate ions. Pyrophosphate has a high pH buffering capacity and can chelate with calcium, magnesium and heavy metal ions . In the laboratory field, it is used as a buffer, a chelating agent and an analytical reagent with excellent dispersibility, while in the consumer field, it is used in household cleaning due to its water softening and dispersing abilities. The combination of chelation, buffering and dispersing is multifunctional and is the functional basis for applications outside of the food and industrial sectors.

In chemical language sodium pyrophosphate possesses the usual properties of condensed phosphates: its aqueous solution is alkaline; it chelates alkaline earth and heavy metal ions; and it is easily decomposed by heat, hydrolyzing to phosphates on long boiling. Let it stay sealed and dry.

For sodium pyrophosphate other than food grade and industrial grade, it refers to the products for research and consumer applications, mainly including reagent grade specifications. These specifications are more focused on the following indicators than food grade and industrial grade products:

Matter not soluble in water

Insoluble material in water can affect the purity of the reagent and its buffering capacity, and must be kept at low levels.

Moisture

Sodium pyrophosphate is mildly hygroscopic. Too much moisture content affects the accuracy of measurement and storage stability, so it needs to be controlled and sealed in packaging.

What other uses does Tetrasodium pyrophosphate have?

1. Scientific research and lab applications (reagent grade, core applications)

Sodium pyrophosphate is a common condensed phosphate reagent used in the laboratory. It is useful for pyrophosphate related chemical studies, buffer solution preparation and metal ion chelation experiments. Specifications of high purity are employed in scientific research experiments with rigorous purity requirements and are common reagents in chemistry and materials laboratories.

2. Descaling and treatment of boiler water (core application)

Sodium pyrophosphate is a classical water softener and boiler scale remover. It chelates calcium and magnesium ions in water, preventing scale formation and softening water . It is widely used in treatment of industrial boilers, circulating cooling water and process water. It is also used in the treatment of oilfield produced water. It is an important agent in industrial water treatment.

3. Consumer grade (household and daily chemical products)

Household cleaners and descaling agents contain sodium pyrophosphate as an active ingredient. It softens hard water and removes limescale and stains from metal ions. You'll find it in things like laundry detergent, toilet cleaner and kitchen cleaner.

4.Electroplating industry

Sodium pyrophosphate is used as a complexing agent for metal ions in electroplating solutions, particularly in copper plating. It forms stable complexes with copper ions and improves the conductivity of plating solution and quality of plating layer. It is used in electroplating of metals and surface treatment of electronic components.

5. Textile Dyeing and Printing

Sodium pyrophosphate is used as a dyeing and printing bleaching auxiliary, wool degreaser and cotton refining agent. It helps to remove the impurities and grease in the fiber, and enhance the effect of bleaching and dyeing. It is an important auxiliary in textile dyeing and printing industry.

6. Metal surface finishing

Sodium pyrophosphate can be used in rust removal and phosphating and pretreatment of metal surfaces. It improves the coating and plating quality of metal surfaces by removing metal oxides and stains with its chelating and dispersing ability.

7. Construction Materials and ceramics

Sodium pyrophosphate can be used as a dispersant for ceramic slurries and glazes, to improve the fluidity of the slurries and molding performance. It is used in the production of building ceramics and daily-use ceramics.

8. Moisture retention and softness

( 1 ) Sodium pyrophosphate is important as a moisture retainer and tenderizer in meat processing. It can chelate metal ions when used with potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, etc., promote muscle protein to absorb water and swell, significantly improve the water retention and tenderness of meat products such as ham, sausage, and meatballs, improve the taste and reduce cooking loss.

(2) In the processing of aquatic products such as shrimp, fish balls, and crab sticks, the use of sodium pyrophosphate can help the products retain moisture, minimize juice loss during thawing and cooking, improve the color and elasticity of the products, and increase the yield.

9. Beverage Emulsification and Stabilization

(1) Sodium pyrophosphate is used as an emulsifying salt and stabilizer for dairy products, helping dairy products such as cheese to emulsify evenly when heated, preventing oil separation, and improving meltability and texture.

(2) Sodium pyrophosphate can be used as a stabilizer and pH buffer in beverages, chelating metal ions in beverages to prevent turbidity and precipitation, and helping to maintain the clarity and flavor stability of beverages.

10. Improving the quality of flour products

( 1) Sodium pyrophosphate is used in noodle, dumpling skin and other flour products. It can form metal ion complex, modify the gluten network structure and improve the dough extensibility and the chewy texture of the final products.

(2) Sodium pyrophosphate as a component of acid salts of chemical leavening agents. In baked products (e.g. pastries and biscuits) it can be used in conjunction with carbonates to help control the rate of gas production and improve the leavening effect.

11. Popular science experiments and science education

Sodium pyrophosphate can be used in teaching demonstrations and experiments to demonstrate the properties of the condensed phosphates, chelation reactions and buffering effects. It is a common teaching reagent in middle schools and universities' chemistry laboratories.

12. Other Uses

As chemical and materials research progresses, the application scope of sodium pyrophosphate is constantly expanding, including the supply of standard reagents, analytical testing services, and the manufacture of customized fine chemicals.

Summarization

Tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) is a white powdery condensed phosphate that is readily soluble in water and gives an alkaline aqueous solution. It has a number of functions such as chelation, buffering and dispersion. In our daily life, the indirect contact is through electroplating of hardware and electronics, detergents, food, textile printing and dyeing, ceramic tiles and water treatment. Reagent-grade sodium pyrophosphate not only serves the food and industry but also the scientific research and laboratory, household cleaning and chemical products, household water softening, and educational experiments, which is a key phosphate chemical that connects “daily use” with “scientific research, health, and consumption”.