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Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate did not pop up out of nowhere. Its early use traces back to the days when chemists sought reliable buffer agents and electrolytes for scientific work. By the mid-20th century, labs everywhere wanted reliable, consistent reagents. Regulations emerged, including the British Pharmacopoeia (BP), European Pharmacopoeia (EP), and United States Pharmacopeia (USP), shaping the quality bar for all pharmaceutical salts. Efforts from regulatory agencies and the relentless tinkering in labs pushed manufacturers to refine purification steps, screening for every impurity and testing stability across storage conditions. Researchers looked beyond bulk properties, focusing on making potassium phosphate a true pharmaceutical-grade material, not just a generic industrial additive.
Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate falls into the inorganic salt family. Chemically, each molecule holds two potassium ions bound to a phosphate group, paired with three water molecules. Regulatory bodies stamp the crystalline, white powder as fit for use in drugs only if it meets strict benchmarks for purity, trace metals, heavy metals, and microbiological load. Beyond serving as a buffering agent, it balances pH, fortifies electrolytes in IV solutions, and finds steady demand in biotech, thanks to its compatibility with sensitive formulations.
This compound displays solid, odorless, and hygroscopic properties. It dissolves quickly in water, releasing potassium and phosphate ions without forming any troublesome precipitate in most injectable drug recipes. Its pH lands around 8.7-9.4 for a 1% aqueous solution, a key trait for neutralization tasks in parenteral drugs or diagnostic reagents. You won’t catch it stealing the spotlight in any reaction—it plays a steady background role and sticks to its job with unwavering reliability. Room temperature and dry storage keep it from clumping or absorbing extra water from the air.
Labels on BP EP USP potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate go beyond plain tradition. They spell out hydration state, purity (typically above 98%), batch number, origin, expiry, and storage recommendations. Regulations demand tight controls for arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury below one part per million, plus passes on specific optical clarity and solubility tests. Every good lot carries a certificate of analysis showing actual, measured values for these parameters, based on pharmacopoeial methods, to give pharmacists and analytical chemists a measure of confidence in each batch.
Chemists start by mixing high-purity potassium carbonate or potassium hydroxide with phosphoric acid, controlling temperature and stoichiometry to favor the dibasic salt over its mono- or tribasic cousins. As the clear liquid cools, trihydrate crystals settle out, then they’re harvested, rinsed, and dried under conditions that preserve the water molecules in each unit cell. The industry has seen big improvements here—automation helps avoid contamination, and recycling side streams into fertilizer ingredients keeps waste costs under control.
Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate holds up to most laboratory stress tests. It blends easily into buffer systems and responds predictably in phosphate exchange reactions. In research, replacing the potassium with sodium or magnesium, or tinkering with the hydration profile, generates derivatives for custom drug preparations. Acid-base titration remains simple: raise the pH and watch it shift toward the tribasic form or swing lower to catch the monobasic. Rare cross-reactions occur with heavy metals and strong acids, so real world use—in pharmacy or diagnostics—keeps a sharp eye on compatibility.
Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate may pop up as K2HPO4·3H2O, di-potassium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate, or dipotassium phosphate trihydrate depending on seller or regulator. It’s important not to confuse it with the anhydrous or heptahydrate forms—both show subtle differences in behavior and stability, and mixing them up in formulation work leads to all sorts of headaches.
Despite its wide use, potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate demands care in handling. Dust particles may cause eye and respiratory irritation. Chemical hygiene plans in production and distribution settings specify gloves, goggles, and dust control ventilation. Cleanroom manufacturing avoids cross-contamination. Storage sticks to sealed, moisture-proof containers out of sunlight. Waste disposal typically folds into standard, non-hazardous chemical protocols, but any solutions dumped outside permitted drains risk altering local water chemistry.
The largest market sits in pharmaceuticals and clinical nutrition. Hospitals count on potassium phosphate in parenteral fluids for treating hypophosphatemia or balancing electrolyte loss. Biotech firms favor it as a buffering backbone during fermentation and protein purification. Food labs use regulated grades as pH stabilizers in infant formula or nutrient drinks. Even battery and ceramic researchers dabble with the compound, drawn by the reliable potassium to phosphate bond and predictable hydration.
A research lab’s shelves almost always hold a container of potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate. Its consistency and defined chemical footprint make it a favorite. Scientists keep searching for faster, single-step synthesis and greener, lower-waste production. Studies test its behavior under freeze-drying, probing its usefulness for biologic drug stabilization. Researchers track batch variability and particle size influences, aiming to lock down standards across international supply chains. Every bit of new learning feeds into tighter quality specifications and lower risk for patients.
Potassium phosphate salts generally score low on the human toxicity scale. Overuse delivers potassium or phosphate overload, especially risky for patients with kidney or heart issues. Researchers pay close attention to accidental overdose in clinical settings; published studies highlight proper dosing regimes and drug interaction watch points. Animal studies look for chronic effects, and so far, the greatest worry comes from cumulative phosphate exposure, spurring regular reviews of regulatory limits on food and injectable drug products.
As drug delivery technology advances, demand for higher-purity and higher-stability buffer salts rises. Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate sits at the intersection of medical, nutritional, and biotechnology trends, with growth tied to injectable drugs, advanced biologics, and clinical diagnostics. Green chemistry could shake up the industry, shifting production to more sustainable sources or recycling waste streams into high-grade reagents. Digital tracking and blockchain tools may help trace every kilogram from raw material to end user, guarding against counterfeiting and quality drift. Researchers remain on the lookout for new applications in cell therapy, tissue engineering, and next-generation nutrition science where the unpretentious, ever-reliable potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate finds another chance to prove its worth.
Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate sounds like it belongs in a high-tech laboratory, but it often ends up in the background of medicines and industry without much fuss. Its chemical stability and reliable purity make it a trustworthy ingredient in pharmaceuticals, where precision isn't a suggestion—it's a requirement. It’s got three water molecules built in, meaning it holds onto moisture well, which actually matters for how smooth processes run.
Doctors and pharmacists often talk about the pH of a solution, and there’s a good reason for that. Get it wrong, and you could irritate tissues or affect how drugs work. I’ve seen hospital staff double-check buffers for IV medications; one small error, and you risk complications. Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate cuts down that error margin. It’s used to keep pH in injectable drugs, dialysis solutions, and oral medicines right where it should be. In the real world, that translates to fewer side effects and predictable drug action.
Not everyone can eat regular food. Critically ill patients or people with severe gut problems sometimes rely on intravenous nutrition, known as TPN. Here’s where potassium phosphate comes back into play, slipping into those bags as a source of potassium and phosphorus, two elements the human body absolutely can't do without. Get the balance right, and you stave off heart rhythm issues and keep bones strong. Registered dietitians check and double-check electrolyte formulas for their patients, and this compound helps them do it dependably.
In my own college lab days, accuracy was burned into my brain. We measured pH daily and prepared buffers that had to work the same way every single time. Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate earned its keep with buffers for everything from enzyme activity studies to protein purification. When researchers need reproducible results, grabbing a pharma-grade chemical means fewer odd results and less troubleshooting.
A small but important role comes in making tablets, powders, or capsules. Plenty of medicines use this compound to bind different ingredients together or make sure the medicine flows properly through machines. Drug manufacturing runs on efficiency—pharma companies lose time and money if powders stick together or don’t mix well. Using a reliable pharmaceutical grade ingredient helps them keep things on track.
The pharmaceutical industry has trust issues, and for good reason—nobody wants unknowns in their medicine. That’s why the major versions of this compound get certified by the world’s heavy-hitters: BP, EP, and USP. Following those off-the-shelf guidelines means the stuff is tested for purity, with tight controls on contaminants.
Whether you talk to someone in a hospital, a research lab, or a manufacturing plant, the basics rarely grab headlines, but they form the backbone of everything else. For anyone counting on precise medicines, a steady blood chemistry, or reproducible lab tests, potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate is part of the solution, not the problem. It shows up in the supporting cast, solving problems before they start and letting doctors, researchers, and manufacturers focus on their real work.
Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate stands out in labs and industries for good reasons. The chemical formula for this compound is K2HPO4·3H2O. The number of potassium atoms, hydrogen, and phosphate groups in combination with three water molecules gives it a unique structure. Measuring the molecular weight brings us to about 228.22 g/mol. Personal experience working with buffer preparations showed this extra hydration shifts the scale numbers more than the anhydrous type, something easy to overlook if attention drifts toward generic formulas.
Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate keeps appearing in various settings, mainly for its role as a buffering agent. Biologists rely on it to set up stable solutions where cells or enzymes don’t throw off their functions because of sudden pH swings. The clarity of the buffer, consistency in results, and ease of dissolving comes from the trihydrate form. Several times, prepping solutions in a student lab, the trihydrate mixed in smoothly—whereas the anhydrous alternative sometimes brought on unsightly clumps or unexpected recalculations.
Getting the formula right avoids confusion. Some students remember confusing the trihydrate with the anhydrous variant. That led to pH values drifting and experimental batches going sideways. In my work, double-checking both the label and the certificate of analysis made a difference. As each hydrate introduces extra water, not adjusting weights in recipes can throw off concentrations. For buffers in enzyme assays, this mismatch leads to inconsistent success rates or sluggish enzyme action, all from overlooking the right form of the salt.
Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate supports pharmaceutical consistency, water treatment, and food manufacturing, bringing precise mineral content and pH control. Hospitals rely on buffers to ensure blood analysis yields reliable results. Even cheese-makers and beverage bottlers factor in this compound when controlling acidity, affirming its reach far beyond the textbook or research setting.
Storing trihydrate in a cool, dry spot matters, since extra water in the formula draws in more moisture if the cap stays loose. Slippery workspaces or sticky residue often mean the preparation routine needs refining. Gloves and goggles belong in the picture. I’ve noticed that repeated handling without protection left tiny irritations—hard lessons on why chemical safety remains practical, not just regulatory.
Anyone prepping a buffer or stock solution ought to run the numbers carefully. Manufacturers can help by labeling hydration states clearly and offering conversion tables. Digital calculators tailored to hydration states would cut guesswork for students and seasoned lab techs alike. Regular team refresher sessions cut down on costly recalls or analysis misfires caused by mix-ups.
Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate doesn’t represent just another chemical line on a shelf. Its proper use stands to steer research, production, and healthcare forward. Familiarity with its formula (K2HPO4·3H2O) and its molecular weight (228.22 g/mol) lets anyone using it steer clear of avoidable mistakes and get the job done right the first time.
Experience in working with raw pharmaceutical materials quickly teaches the value of getting storage right. Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate comes with its own quirks. Unsealed containers or careless storage bring in water from the air, leading to clumping, slower dissolving, or even product loss. This compound feeds right into saline production, buffering, and even dialysis modules—a reason to keep it protected from elements that might compromise reliability.
Colleagues often notice powders easily scatter or become airborne during weighing and mixing. Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate makes no exception. Use gloves and a dust mask to avoid contact with skin or inhalation. I’ve found that a fume hood, though sometimes skipped, keeps the work area cleaner, especially if prepping many batches at once. Accidents do happen: even dropping a small container can create a film on surfaces, so wiping equipment and benches immediately adds a safety buffer for both people and product.
In a few labs I have seen, storing chemicals in the wrong container becomes an open invitation for contamination and moisture seepage. Polyethylene or polypropylene bottles seem like the way to go—they resist corrosion and don’t react. A tight lid, screwed down after every use, stands out as the best defense against atmospheric moisture.
A cool, dry spot winds up ideal for many pharmaceutical salts. Shelves close to heat sources or direct sunlight bring the risk of excess warmth breaking down chemical stability. Anything above 30°C ramps up the odds of caking inside the bottle or pH changes that creep into finished formulations. I always check local humidity—keeping values below 60% goes a long way. Some colleagues set up silica gel packets within storage cabinets just for peace of mind.
Labels fade or peel off easily in poorly managed storage. It pays to recheck expiry dates during every handling. A habit of recording open-and-close dates on each container helps track freshness and makes recalls easy if any issues arise downstream. Trusting only the manufacturer’s original container removes guesswork from purity and shelf-life.
Access should only go to trained staff. Dedicated storage zones, kept separate from incompatible chemicals like acids, prevent unwanted reactions. In my early days, I noticed several chemicals stored in the same spot, raising the chance of something going wrong in case of a spill. So, having visible spill kits was more than just a safety checkbox—it meant nobody panicked if a cleanup was required. Quick containment and wipe-up mean the chemical doesn’t reach drains or unsupervised hands.
SOPs get reviewed regularly for items like potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate. Tracking logs and batch records smooth out compliance if an audit comes knocking. MSDS sheets, printed and right next to the storage area, ensure nobody needs to scramble for information in an emergency. It’s not only about meeting regulations, it's about building a robust lab culture that others can trust.
Clear, real-world protocols for handling and storage mean healthcare workers and patients get the dependable outcomes they expect. Focusing on these basics isn’t just about the material—it directly impacts every process and person that depends on quality pharmaceuticals.
If you work in pharmaceuticals or buy ingredients for health products, you’ve run into the alphabet soup—BP, EP, USP. These aren’t just fancy certifications, they’re the backbone of what makes a product trustworthy and, more importantly, safe to put anywhere near patients. Missing the mark, even a little, isn’t a minor slip. It’s the difference between medicine that helps and medicine that causes recall notices.
The British Pharmacopeia (BP), European Pharmacopeia (EP), and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) each set detailed rules for everything from purity and strength to how a substance should look and what impurities can lurk inside it. These aren’t static or ceremonial. Every year, scientists and committees update these standards based on new research and what crops up in the real world—unexpected side effects, better lab techniques, shifting regulations. Meeting these rules is constant work. It isn’t enough if a supplier simply slaps ‘USP grade’ on the bag. Authentic compliance with these standards runs deeper than marketing claims.
Plenty of products boast they’re compliant, but not all truly measure up. Independent lab verification offers one way to check. Certificates of analysis should match up with the latest version of each pharmacopeia. I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for paperwork to look perfect while the product itself slips past testing that’s too infrequent or loose. Trust, but verify, especially when your name goes on the end product.
Regulators across the U.S., Europe, and the UK demand compliance, but the true pressure comes from the possibility of someone getting sick. I remember a batch of over-the-counter supplements that barely missed the USP’s impurity limits. No one caught it before it shipped out. It didn’t take long for side effects to pop up. Suddenly, fines and bad press followed, and consumer trust took a dive. That hit the company’s bottom line much harder than stricter sourcing or testing ever would have.
Suppliers that genuinely follow pharmacopeial standards keep detailed batch records, run extra contaminant screens, and don’t dodge uncomfortable questions from buyers. Internal audits and spot-checking with accredited third-party labs mean you spot issues before someone else does. Open communication across the supply chain—not just taking a supplier’s word, but demanding evidence—keeps both sides honest.
Digital batch tracking systems, secure QR code verification, and blockchain-based records all play a role in making compliance traceable and visible. With real-time data, tracing a product’s journey from raw material to the final capsule or vial now possible for anyone who cares to check. This isn't just for big pharma. Smaller labs and startups use these same tools to punch above their weight and avoid costly mistakes.
Ask for the latest certificate of analysis, plus details on how often each batch is tested and which specific pharmacopeial monographs are applied. Then check those results against the current standards. Don’t be shy about requesting proof. Genuine partners won’t stall or change the subject. If a manufacturer hesitates to provide recent audit results or independent lab data, that sends a message of its own.
Ensuring every shipment matches current BP, EP, and USP specs goes beyond ticking boxes. It becomes part of the company culture, woven into training, teamwork, and ongoing vigilance. The price of skipping these steps is rarely just financial—it’s about real people trusting the products on their pharmacy shelf or bedside table. That’s responsibility worth taking seriously, every single time.
Pharmaceutical-grade potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate doesn’t get tossed in just any old bag. Sensitive compounds like this demand careful handling, so packaging plays a big part in keeping the chemical stable from production all the way to point of use. In my previous work helping to source bulk pharma chemicals and talking with industry veterans, packaging quickly came up as a deal maker—or breaker.
From what I’ve seen on warehouse floors, fiber drums with double polyethylene liners are a go-to choice for 25kg or 50kg transport, especially for large orders headed to tablet manufacturers or compounding pharmacies. Fiberboard might sound basic, but that inner liner keeps out atmospheric moisture, which Potassium Phosphate soaks up fast if left unprotected. You’ll also find high-density polyethylene (HDPE) drums showing up in many pharmaceutical supply chains. They seal tight, resist most accidental knocks, and stand up to chemical resistance standards set by regulatory bodies.
For smaller research, lab, or clinical batches, high-quality HDPE or polypropylene bottles in 500g or 1kg units see wide use. These bottles give users just enough product for immediate work, cutting down on unnecessary exposure to air and humidity. Some manufacturers favor amber or opaque bottles to shield against light, though for this compound, light sensitivity sits low on the list of risks compared to water vapor in the air.
Shelf life is always on the minds of QA managers and pharmacists. Someone once told me, “Moisture is the enemy here.” Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate naturally wants to grab moisture from its environment, especially if humidity levels spike. Once moisture creeps in, the product forms cakes, clumps, or even degrades chemically, losing its reliability for precision tasks.
Most pharma suppliers stamp a recommended shelf life of two to three years on the original unopened drum or container. That number doesn’t come out of nowhere. Companies run real-time and accelerated stability trials at 25°C/60% relative humidity to catch any shifts in purity or chemical fingerprint over prolonged periods. Any deviation could mean batches fall short of stringent pharmacopeia standards, or worse, trigger product recalls.
Based on GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) protocols, once a drum or bottle opens, the clock moves faster. The contents get exposed to the room air, introducing water and the chance for cross-contamination. I’ve seen some labs move bulk product into tightly sealed glass containers with desiccant packs, pushing to keep the contents dry for as long as possible. Some buyers also ask for a Certificate of Analysis with shelf life data, so they can plan inventory and make sure nothing goes to waste.
Temperature matters too. Storage below 30°C keeps the compound stable. Heat only raises the chances of clumping or breakdown. Anyone storing it near chemical baths, steam pipes, or in open warehouses risks product loss and failed quality tests.
Improving shelf life for sensitive compounds means thinking beyond the status quo. Asking for tamper-evident seals can cut the risk of mix-ups and alert users if a supply gets opened before it reaches them. Smaller unit sizes can help clinics and research groups open just what they need, instead of battling clumps or failures from old stock. Some companies started using smart labels with color-change humidity indicators to flag if a shipment ran into trouble on its way.
Investing in climate-controlled storage, even on a small scale, cuts emergencies down the road. Desiccants aren’t just extra—they should be standard. Training warehouse and lab staff to watch for caking, off-colors, or odd smells also keeps risks down. After all, pharma-grade means the margin for error shrinks, and packaging plus smart storage routines hold the line when it counts.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | Potassium hydrogen phosphate trihydrate |
| Other names |
Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate Trihydrate Dipotassium Phosphate Trihydrate Potassium Phosphate, Dibasic, Trihydrate Dibasic Potassium Phosphate Trihydrate K2HPO4·3H2O |
| Pronunciation | /pəˈtæsiəm fəˈsfeɪt daɪˈbeɪsɪk traɪˈhaɪdreɪt/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 16788-57-1 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | `load = "K2HPO4.3H2O"` |
| Beilstein Reference | 3569886 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:61393 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1201472 |
| ChemSpider | 160357 |
| DrugBank | DB09449 |
| ECHA InfoCard | ECHA InfoCard: 03-2119488168-27-0000 |
| EC Number | 231-834-5 |
| Gmelin Reference | Gmelin Reference: "14570 |
| KEGG | C18640 |
| MeSH | Dipotassium Phosphates |
| PubChem CID | 24816219 |
| RTECS number | TC6615500 |
| UNII | G9D3908QWA |
| UN number | UN 0 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID7036798 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | K2HPO4·3H2O |
| Molar mass | 228.22 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline granules or powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 2.44 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Freely soluble in water |
| log P | -4.7 |
| Acidity (pKa) | 12.35 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 11.7 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -39.0×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.422 |
| Dipole moment | 0 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -1559.9 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | A12BA |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | May cause irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS hazard statement: H319 |
| Pictograms | GHS07, GHS09 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | Hazard statements: Not a hazardous substance or mixture according to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). |
| Precautionary statements | P264, P270, P305+P351+P338, P301+P312, P330, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | Health: 1, Flammability: 0, Instability: 0, Special: - |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): > 15,000 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose) Oral - rat: 17000 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | TC6300000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) for Potassium Phosphate Dibasic Trihydrate: Not established. |
| REL (Recommended) | 100 mg/kg body weight |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Not listed. |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Monopotassium phosphate Tripotassium phosphate Potassium phosphate Sodium phosphate Disodium phosphate Trisodium phosphate |
Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
