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| Synonyms:TSP Molecular Formula:Na3O4P Molecular Weight: 163.940671 HS Code: 2835291000 Grade: Industrial grade Food Grade Hazard Class:Class8 | |||||||||
7601-54-9
bosschemical
7601-54-9
Trisodium phosphate, also known as trisodium phosphate, is a sodium orthophosphate salt formed by the complete neutralization of phosphoric acid and sodium hydroxide. Its molecular formula is Na3PO4, and its CAS number is 7601-54-9 (commercially, the dodecahydrate Na3PO4·12H2O is commonly found). It is a colorless to white crystalline powder, readily soluble in water, and its aqueous solution is strongly alkaline (pH approximately 11.5-12.1 for a 1% solution). The orthophosphate ion possesses multiple functions, including strong alkali, complexation, film formation, and phosphorus source. It is used as a moisture retainer and quality improver in the processing of ham, seafood, and cheese beverages; as a softener and detergent in boiler water softening and industrial cleaning; as a process aid for metal rust prevention and dyeing color fixing; and as a raw material for dental cleaning agents and analytical reagents. Its applications span multiple fields, from meat products and beverages on the dining table, water treatment and textile dyeing in factories, to oral care and laboratory testing, encompassing food, industry , oral care, and scientific research.
Basic information : Chinese name: Trisodium phosphate (also known as sodium orthophosphate, anhydrous trisodium phosphate); English name: Trisodium phosphate (also known as Sodium phosphate tribasic, Trisodium orthophosphate, abbreviated TSP); CAS number: 7601-54-9; EINECS number: 231-509-8; Molecular formula: Na3PO4 (commonly traded as dodecahydrate Na3PO4·12H2O); Molecular weight: approximately 163.94 (anhydrous); Appearance: colorless to white crystals or crystalline powder, odorless; readily soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol; Aqueous solution is strongly alkaline (1% aqueous solution pH approximately 11.5-12.1); Melting point of anhydrous form: approximately 1340℃, melting point of dodecahydrate: approximately 73.4℃; Density: approximately 2.54 g/cm³; Hygroscopic.
Structurally , trisodium phosphate consists of three sodium ions and one orthophosphate ion: the phosphorus atom is located at the center, forming a tetrahedron with four oxygen atoms, and the phosphate ion carries three negative charges, which are balanced by the three sodium ions through ionic bonds. Orthophosphate (PO4³⁻) is the form in which all three hydrogen atoms of phosphate are neutralized. It can switch between hydrogen phosphate and dihydrogen phosphate depending on the pH of the environment. In water, it undergoes strong hydrolysis to produce hydroxide ions, resulting in a strongly alkaline solution. At the same time, the phosphate ion can coordinate with metal ions such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. This is the structural basis for its application in multiple fields, including food, industry, and scientific research.
Physically , trisodium phosphate is a colorless to white crystalline powder, odorless; readily soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol; its aqueous solution is strongly alkaline (pH of 1% aqueous solution is approximately 11.5-12.1); the anhydrous form has a melting point of approximately 1340℃, and the dodecahydrate has a melting point of approximately 73.4℃; its density is approximately 2.54 g/cm³; it is hygroscopic and efflorescent in dry air; it requires sealed and moisture-proof storage.
Chemically , trisodium phosphate is a strong base-weak acid salt: phosphate ions hydrolyze strongly in water, and the aqueous solution is strongly alkaline, which can saponify and hydrolyze oily dirt; phosphate ions can combine with calcium and magnesium ions to form insoluble phosphates, thus softening hard water; it can complex with metal ions to form films on metal surfaces; it increases the ionic strength of the system and promotes protein dissolution and cross-linking; it absorbs moisture and effloresces when heated or stored for a long time.
The equilibrium mechanism of orthophosphate in multiple forms : Phosphate is converted between hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate and other forms with pH, exhibiting different acid-base and complexation behaviors - the common basis of buffer regulation in food and industry.
Strong alkaline hydrolysis and ionic strength mechanism : Hydrolysis produces hydroxide ions, which are strongly alkaline, and at the same time significantly increases the ionic strength of the system—a common mechanism for cleaning and decontamination and water retention in meat products.
Phosphate coordination complexation mechanism : coordination and combination with metal ions such as calcium, magnesium, and iron - the common basis for water softening and scale prevention, food color protection and quality improvement.
Interfacial adsorption and film formation mechanism : Phosphate adsorption at the solid-liquid interface and film formation on metal and protein surfaces are the common basis for rust prevention and protection, protein adhesion, staining and fixation, and fluxing.
Phosphorus source supply mechanism : providing absorbable and usable inorganic phosphorus—the common basis for food nutrition supplementation and chemical synthesis.
1. Food processing sector
Moisture retention agent
It is used as a moisture retainer and quality improver for meat, fish, shrimp, crab and Western-style ham products to improve water retention and binding strength, and improve tenderness, taste and yield.
Corresponding products: Western-style ham, meat products, fish, shrimp and crab products, processed aquatic products, etc.
Quality improver
It is used as an emulsifier and quality improver for cheese, as well as for canned goods, juices, beverages and dairy products, to improve emulsification, texture and flavor and color.
Corresponding products: cheese, processed cheese, canned goods, fruit juice drinks, dairy products, etc.
Nutritional supplements and food emulsifiers
It provides an absorbable phosphorus source as a food nutritional supplement and also participates in the construction of emulsion systems as an emulsifier component in food processing.
Corresponding products: fortified foods, phosphorus-fortified beverages, emulsified foods, processed food ingredients, etc.
2. Food industry hygiene and sugar production sector
Sugar juice purifier
It is used as a sugar juice purifier and aid in the sugar production process for the purification and clarification of sugar juice.
Corresponding products: sugar juice purifier, sugar refining aid, sucrose and beet sugar processing, etc.
Food-grade bottle and can detergent
As a detergent component for food industry bottles (cans) and equipment, it utilizes alkalinity and detergency to clean food containers and processing equipment.
Corresponding products: food bottle and can cleaner, food equipment cleaner, CIP cleaning components, etc.
3. Water treatment and cleaning field
Boiler water softener and scale inhibitor
It acts as a water softener and scale inhibitor for boiler feedwater and circulating water, combining with calcium and magnesium ions to prevent scale deposition and protect the boiler and pipes.
Corresponding products: boiler water softener, scale inhibitor, power generation and industrial water treatment agent, etc.
Industrial detergents and cleaning aids
It is used as an industrial detergent and heavy-duty cleaning aid, utilizing strong alkaline saponification to remove dirt, and is used for cleaning hard surfaces and degreasing equipment.
Corresponding products: industrial cleaning agents, heavy-duty detergents, hard surface cleaners, etc.
Metal degreaser and rust inhibitor
It is used as a chemical degreasing and cleaning agent for metal surfaces in metallurgy and machining, as well as a metal corrosion inhibitor and rust preventer.
Corresponding products: metal cleaners, rust inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, etc.
4. Textile printing and dyeing and leather making
Printing and dyeing fixing agent
It acts as a color-fixing agent in the printing and dyeing process, adjusting dye bath conditions, promoting dye fixation, and improving color fastness.
Corresponding products: dyeing and printing fixing agents, dye bath auxiliaries, textile dyeing and printing auxiliaries, etc.
Fabric mercerizing enhancer and thread anti-brittleness agent
It is used as a reinforcing agent in the mercerizing treatment of fabrics, improving the luster and strength of cotton fabrics, and is also used in the anti-brittleness treatment during the yarn making process.
Corresponding products: mercerizing agents, thread-making auxiliaries, textile finishing agents, etc.
Leather degreasing and degumming agents
It is used as a degreasing and degumming agent for raw hides in the leather industry, and is used for pretreatment before leather processing.
Corresponding products: raw hide degreasing agent, degumming agent, leather tanning auxiliaries, etc.
5. Paper, enamel and rubber industries
Papermaking soft water and buffer
It is used as a water softener in papermaking and paper dyeing processes, and as an acid-base buffer in adhesives used in the production of waxed paper.
Corresponding products: paper softening agents, waxed paper adhesives and buffers, papermaking additives, etc.
Enamel flux and decolorizing agent
It is used as a flux and decolorizing agent in the enamel industry to improve the melting flow and color of glaze.
Corresponding products: enamel glaze flux, decolorizing agent, enamel industrial raw materials, etc.
Rubber latex coagulant
It is used as a coagulant for natural rubber latex, in the coagulation process of rubber latex.
Corresponding products: latex coagulants, natural rubber processing aids, etc.
6. Chemical and Specialty Industries
Chemical synthesis raw materials and material precursors
It serves as a precursor and raw material for chemical synthesis and materials preparation, and is used in the synthesis of functional materials such as catalysts and battery materials.
Corresponding products: catalyst precursors, battery material precursors, phosphate synthesis raw materials, etc.
Photographic development accelerator
It acts as an accelerator in photographic developing solutions, improving the reaction efficiency of the developing process.
Corresponding products: photographic development accelerators, image processing chemicals, etc.
pH adjuster sprayed on nuclear facilities
It is used as a pH adjusting component in the containment spray system of nuclear facilities for controlling the acidity and alkalinity of the spray solution and for post-accident cleanup.
Corresponding products: pH adjuster for containment spray, special water treatment agents, etc.
7. Oral care and daily chemical products
dental cleaning agent components
As a component of dental cleaning agents, it utilizes alkaline cleaning power to assist in cleaning teeth.
Corresponding products: tooth powder, dental cleaning agents, oral hygiene products, etc.
8. Scientific Research and Reagents Field
Analytical reagents and buffer solutions
As a reagent and component of phosphate buffer in analytical chemistry, it is used for analytical detection and laboratory preparation.
Corresponding products: analytical reagents, phosphate buffer, laboratory reagents, etc.
Trisodium phosphate (CAS 7601-54-9) is a sodium orthophosphate salt formed by the complete neutralization of phosphoric acid. It consists of three sodium ions and one orthophosphate group. The phosphate group changes between multiple forms depending on pH, undergoes strong hydrolysis in water to become highly alkaline, and can coordinate with metal ions, form films at interfaces, and provide inorganic phosphorus—making it a versatile chemical applicable across multiple fields. It is a moisture-retaining agent for ham, seafood, and crab; a quality improver for canned cheese and beverages; a boiler water softener and industrial detergent; a process aid for metal rust prevention and dyeing fixation; a flux for enamel, a precursor for rubber coagulation and chemical materials; and a raw material for dental cleaning agents and analytical reagents—from the dining table to the factory, from teeth to the laboratory, orthophosphate quietly supports all aspects of modern life with its unique identity. Understanding its strong alkalinity and phosphate characteristics helps explain why it has become a key chemical with multiple functions.
