pyrophosphoric acid

[ pahy-roh-fos-fawr-ik, -for-, pahy- ]

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.

pyrophosphoric acid

/ 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

pyrophosphoric acid

/ 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 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyrophosphoric acid¹

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