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

On heating orthophosphoric acid to about 225° pyrophosphoric acid is formed in accordance with the following equation: 2H3PO4 = H4P2O7 + H2O.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William

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

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William

It releases one phosphoric acid group very easily and goes over in the diphosphate, ADP, but it can also lose 2 P-groups as pyrophosphoric acid and leave the monophosphate, AMP.

From History of Phosphorus by Farber, Eduard