The key difference between trisodium phosphate and tripotassium phosphate is that the trisodium phosphate has three sodiumcations associated with one phosphate anion while tripotassium phosphate has three potassium cations associated with one phosphate anion. Further, the difference between trisodium phosphate and tripotassium phosphate in appearance is that the trisodium phosphate appears as white granules whereas, the tripotassium phosphate appears as a white deliquescent powder.
Trisodium phosphate and tripotassium phosphate are ionic salts that have cations and anions associated with each other. These anions attract cations via electrostatic interactions. The anion of these two compounds is phosphate anion (PO43-). It is a tribasic anion which is capable of holding three cations with it.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Trisodium Phosphate
3. What is Tripotassium Phosphate
4. Side by Side Comparison – Trisodium Phosphate vs Tripotassium Phosphate in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Trisodium Phosphate?
Trisodium phosphate is an ionic salt having the chemical formula Na3PO4. Therefore, it is an inorganic compound. It appears as white granules and is highly water soluble. Moreover, when we dissolve this compound in water, it forms an alkaline solution. The molar mass of this compound is 163.94 g/mol. Its melting point is 1,583 °C, and it decomposes at higher temperatures.
Figure 01: Chemical Structure of Trisodium Phosphate
Furthermore, this compound is useful as a cleaning agent, builder, lubricant, food additive, stain remover, and degreaser. We can produce this compound via neutralization of phosphoric acid using sodium hydroxide along with sodium carbonate. However, if we use sodium carbonate alone, it will give only the disodium phosphate.
What is Tripotassium Phosphate?
Tripotassium phosphate is an ionic salt having the chemical formula K3PO4. It is an inorganic compound. Moreover, this salt is water soluble and slightly hygroscopic as well. It appears as a white deliquescent powder. The molar mass of this compound is 212.27 g/mol while the melting point is 1,380 °C, and at high temperatures, it decomposes easily. We can find it as crystals, lumps or as a powder.
Figure 02: Chemical Structure of Tripotassium Phosphate
The major use of this compound is using as a catalyst for chemical reactions. Moreover, we can use it as a food additive because it can act as an emulsifier, foaming agent, and a whipping agent. We can produce this compound via the reaction between ammonium phosphate and potassium chloride.
What is the Difference Between Trisodium Phosphate and Tripotassium Phosphate?
Trisodium phosphate is an ionic salt having the chemical formula Na3PO4. The molar mass of this compound is 163.94 g/mol. Moreover, it appears as white granules. On the other hand, Tripotassium phosphate is an ionic salt having the chemical formula K3PO4. The molar mass of this compound is 212.27 g/mol. In addition, it appears as a white deliquescent powder. This is the
Summary – Trisodium Phosphate vs Tripotassium Phosphate
Both trisodium phosphate and tripotassium phosphate are inorganic, ionic salts. The difference between trisodium phosphate and tripotassium phosphate is that the trisodium phosphate has three sodium cations associated with one phosphate anion whereas the tripotassium phosphate has three potassium cations associated with one phosphate anion.
Reference:
1. “Trisodium Phosphate.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 July 2018. Available here
2. “Tripotassium Phosphate.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 July 2018. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.’Trisodium phosphate’By Edgar181 – Own work, (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2.’Tripotassium phosphate’By Edgar181 – Own work, (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia