A man-made salt, dipotassium phosphate, is utilized to adjust and maintain the pH of cosmetics formulated for use in water or with water. It is also deemed safe for use in foods as a texture enhancer. It has been recognized as generally safe (GRAS).
Dipotassium phosphate (K2HPO4) (also dipotassium hydrogen orthophosphate; potassium phosphate dibasic) is the inorganic compound with the formula K2HPO4.(H2O)x (x = 0, 3, 6). Together with monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4.(H2O)x), it is often used as a fertilizer, food additive, and buffering agent. It is a white or colorless solid that is soluble in water.
| Names | |
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| IUPAC name
Potassium hydrogen phosphate
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| Other names
Potassium monohydrogen phosphate
Phosphoric acid dipotassium salt Potassium phosphate dibasic | |
| Identifiers | |
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3D model (JSmol)
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| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.028.940 |
| EC Number |
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| E number | E340(ii) (antioxidants, ...) |
PubChem CID
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| UNII |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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| Properties | |
| K2HPO4 | |
| Molar mass | 174.2 g/mol |
| Appearance | white powder deliquescent |
| Odor | odorless |
| Density | 2.44 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | > 465 °C (869 °F; 738 K) decomposes |
| 149.25 g/100 mL (20 °C) | |
| Solubility | slightly soluble in alcohol |
| Acidity (pKa) | 12.4 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 6.8 |
| Hazards | |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
| Flash point | Non-flammable |
| Related compounds | |
Other cations
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Disodium phosphate Diammonium phosphate |
Related compounds
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Monopotassium phosphate Tripotassium phosphate |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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It is produced commercially by partial neutralization of phosphoric acid with two equivalents of potassium chloride:
- H3PO4 + 2 KCl → K2HPO4 + 2 HCl


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