pyrophosphoric acid

American  

[pahy-roh-fos-fawr-ik, -for-, pahy-] / ˈpaɪ roʊ fɒsˈfɔr ɪk, -ˈfɒr-, ˌpaɪ- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a crystalline, water-soluble powder, H 4 P 2 O 7 , formed by the union of one molecule of phosphorus pentoxide with two molecules of water.

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pyrophosphoric acid British  

/ ˌpaɪrəʊfɒsˈfɒrɪk /

noun

1. a crystalline soluble solid acid formed by the reaction between one molecule of phosphorus pentoxide and two water molecules. Formula: H 4 P 2 O 7 See also polyphosphoric acid

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pyrophosphoric acid Scientific  

/ pī′rō-fŏs-fôr′ĭk /

1. A viscous liquid used as a catalyst and in the manufacture of organic chemicals. Chemical formula: H ₄ P ₂ O ₇ .

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Etymology

Origin of pyrophosphoric acid

First recorded in 1865–70; pyro- + phosphoric

Example Sentences

While the secondary phosphates, on heating, give salts of pyrophosphoric acid, the primary phosphates yield salts of metaphosphoric acid.

From Project Gutenberg