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Sodium hexametaphosphate is a water softener, commercially known as Calgon. The term Calgon is associated with calcium, which specifically indicates the elimination of calcium ions from water. The presence of calcium and certain cations in water enhances the water hardness, which in turn is reduced by applying powdered sodium hexametaphosphate, forming complexes with calcium and other ions. In 1963, the German chemists Erich Thilo and Ulrich SchΓΌlke discovered it by preparing sodium hexametaphosphate by heating anhydrous sodium trimetaphosphate.
Read on to learn more about its formula, structure, properties and uses in this Chemistry article.
Sodium Hexametaphosphate refers to a polymeric chemical compound. This phosphate is associated with six sodium metaphosphates and is represented by the chemical formula Na6(PO3)6ππ6(ππ3)6. The Hexametaphosphate atom contains six other atoms too. That is why it is called a hexamer. Sodium Hexametaphosphate compound is easily dissolved in water but not in organic solvents.
The primary material needed for its preparation is monosodium orthophosphate. This complex phosphate glass is synthesised in the lab by conducting thermal processes associated with soda ash and food-grade phosphoric acid. Moreover, as previously said, it has an expanding network of multiple polyphosphate chains.
From the above picture, it is revealed that the entire molecule has a cage-like appearance. If we look minutely, it is represented that six similar units of NaPO3ππππ3 are repeatedly attached to each other. That means the molecule is polymeric in nature. Sodium ions are linked with oxygen atoms. The phosphate group is stabilized by charge distribution and the opposite charge interactions between sodium and oxygens have well bounded the entire molecule.
Initially, monosodium orthophosphate is heated to generate sodium acid pyrophosphate:
2NaH2PO4βNa2H2P2O7+H2O2πππ»2ππ4βππ2π»2π2π7+π»2π
After that, the pyrophosphate is further heated to produce the sodium hexametaphosphate:
3Na2H2P2O7βheat(NaPO3)6+3H2O3ππ2π»2π2π7ββπππ‘(ππππ3)6+3π»2π
Just immediately, after the heating process is over, rapid cooling is followed.
The difference between sodium hexametaphosphate and sodium polyphosphate is discussed below.
Parameters | Sodium Hexameta phosphate | Sodium Polyphosphate |
Definition | Sodium Hexameta phosphate is an inorganic salt, represented by formula (Na6(PO3)6ππ6(ππ3)6) | Sodium Polyphosphate is composed of sodium phosphate chains having formula H2Na2O7P2π»2ππ2π7π2 |
Chemical category | Monomeric | Polymeric |
Description | Specific six chain length form of sodium metaphosphate | An umbrella termed is used to name all the sodium phosphate units comprised of four or more units |
The physical and chemical properties of sodium hexametaphosphate are given below:
Physical Properties | |
Chemical Formula | Na6(PO3)6ππ6(ππ3)6 |
Density | 2.48 g/cmΒ³ |
Molecular weight/ Molar mass | 611.77 g/mol |
Boiling point | 1,500 Β°C |
Melting point | 628 Β°C |
Odour | Odourless |
Appearance | White crystals |
Refractive index | 1.482 |
pH | 8.6 |
Solubility | Soluble in water, insoluble in organic solvents. |
Chemical Properties
Sodium hexametaphosphate is used in different fields, such as industrial, consumer and agricultural purposes, etc. Letβs study its uses in detail.
Industrial Uses
Agricultural and Consumer Uses
Other Uses
Sodium hexametaphosphate is used for a variety of purposes such as industrial, consumer and agricultural purposes.
Sodium hexametaphosphate is a whitish-powdery substance composed of sodium and metaphosphates. Although the chemical compound has numerous applications in various sectors, it also has negative impacts on plants and as well as on animals due to its prolonged exposure.
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