Tripotassium phosphate, also called tribasic potassium phosphate[3] is a water-soluble salt with the chemical formula K3PO4.(H2O)x (x = 0, 3, 7, 9).[4] Tripotassium phosphate is basic.
Production
Tripotassium phosphate is produced by the neutralization of phosphoric acid with potassium hydroxide:[4]
H3PO4 + 3KOH → K3PO4 + 3H2O
Use in organic chemistry
Tripotassium phosphate has few industrial applications, however it is commonly used as a base in laboratory-scale organic chemistry. Being insoluble in organic solvents, it is an easily removed proton acceptor in organic synthesis. The anhydrous salt is especially basic.[5] Some of the reactions are listed below:
The hydrate (K3PO4·H2O) has been used to catalyze the deprotection of BOC amines. Microwave radiation is used to aid the reaction.[6]
As a catalyst for the synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl ethers using [Bmim] as the solvent. Aryl methane-sulfonates are deprotected and then followed by a nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) with activated aryl halides.[7]
As a base in the cross-coupling reaction of aryl halides with terminal alkynes. It also plays a role in the deacetonation of 4-aryl-2-methylbut-3-yn-2-ol intermediates.[8]
As the base in the cross-coupling reaction between aryl halides and phenols or aliphatic alcohols.[9]
Use in foods
Tripotassium phosphate can be used in foods as a buffering agent, emulsifying agent, and for nutrient fortification. It can serve as a sodium-free substitute for trisodium phosphate. The ingredient is most common in dry cereals but is also found in meat, sauces, and cheeses.[10]
Hazards
It is somewhat basic: a 1% aqueous solution has a pH of 11.8.[4]
References
^ abVoronin, V. I.; Ponosov, Yu. S.; Berger, I. F.; Proskurnina, N. V.; Zubkov, V. G.; Tyutyunnik, A. P.; Bushmeleva, S. N.; Balagurov, A. M.; Sheptyakov, D. V.; Burmakin, E. I.; Shekhtman, G. Sh.; Vovkotrub, E. G. (2006). "Crystal structure of the low-temperature form of K3PO4". Inorganic Materials. 42 (8): 908–913. doi:10.1134/S0020168506080206. S2CID92351896.
^Dandepally, Srinivasa Reddy; Williams, Alfred L. (2009-03-04). "Microwave-assisted N-Boc deprotection under mild basic conditions using K3PO4·H2O in MeOH". Tetrahedron Letters. 50 (9): 1071–1074. doi:10.1016/j.tetlet.2008.12.074. ISSN0040-4039.
^Shirakawa, Eiji; Kitabata, Takaaki; Otsuka, Hidehito; Tsuchimoto, Teruhisa (2005-10-10). "A simple catalyst system for the palladium-catalyzed coupling of aryl halides with terminal alkynes". Tetrahedron. 61 (41): 9878–9885. doi:10.1016/j.tet.2005.07.099. ISSN0040-4020.
^Niu, Jiajia; Zhou, Hua; Li, Zhigang; Xu, Jingwei; Hu, Shaojing (2008-10-03). "An Efficient Ullmann-Type C−O Bond Formation Catalyzed by an Air-Stable Copper(I)−Bipyridyl Complex". The Journal of Organic Chemistry. 73 (19): 7814–7817. doi:10.1021/jo801002c. ISSN0022-3263. PMID18771324.