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Zinc pyrophosphate

Zinc pyrophosphate (Zn<sub>2</sub>P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub>) is an ionic inorganic chemical compound composed of Zn<sup>2+</sup> cations and pyrophosphate anions.

Preparation

Zinc pyrophosphate can be obtained from the thermal decomposition of zinc ammonium phosphate.

2 ZnNH<sub>4</sub>PO<sub>4</sub> → Zn<sub>2</sub>P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub> + 2 NH<sub>3</sub> + H<sub>2</sub>O

It can also be obtained from the reaction between sodium carbonate, zinc oxide, and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate.

Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> + 2 ZnO + 2 (NH<sub>4</sub>)H<sub>2</sub>PO<sub>4</sub> → Zn<sub>2</sub>P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub> + 2 NaOH + 2 NH<sub>3</sub> + 2 H<sub>2</sub>O + CO<sub>2</sub>

It is also produced when a strongly acidic solution of zinc sulfate is heated with sodium pyrophosphate.

2 ZnSO<sub>4</sub> + Na<sub>4</sub>P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub> → Zn<sub>2</sub>P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub> + 2 Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>

Another method is precipitating zinc as a phosphate, then heating over 1123 K.

Properties

Zinc pyrophosphate is a white crystalline solid that is insoluble in water. On heating in water, it decomposes to form Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub> and ZnHPO<sub>4</sub>. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system. The α-form crystallizes at low temperatures and the β-form crystallizes at high temperatures.

Uses

Zinc pyrophosphate is used as a pigment. It is useful in gravimetric analysis of zinc.

References