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Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate Trihydrate BP EP USP Pharma Grade

What Is Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate Trihydrate?

Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate Trihydrate carries the chemical formula K2HPO4·3H2O. In raw, solid form, this compound takes shape as colorless, transparent crystals or crystalline flakes. Some batches come out as powder, others as small pearls—production method and drying parameters decide that. It often moves through warehouses as a solid, stored in moisture-proof packaging. Meets requirements for BP, EP, and USP pharmaceutical quality grades, so purity runs high and every batch skips unnecessary contamination. The compound draws on a rigid, repeating lattice under the microscope, anchored by two potassium ions, one hydrogen phosphate anion, and three water molecules locked in the crystal’s corners.

Chemical Structure and Properties

The molecular weight clocks in at 228.18 g/mol in the trihydrate version. Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate brings mild alkaline reactions in water—run a little of this in distilled water and watch the pH hit values between 8.5 and 9.5. The trihydrate form dissolves quickly, so there’s barely a trace of grit left after mixing. Typical uses exploit this, calling on its ability to strengthen buffer systems in lab and medical settings. In terms of density, the trihydrate version registers around 2.33 g/cm3—pack this granule-heavy chemical into a vessel and expect a weighty measure for its size.

Appearance and Physical Forms

Any supplier worth checking will have Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate Trihydrate in several forms: as crystalline flakes that break with a snap, as a fine, white powder that behaves almost like flour, and occasionally as rounded pearls or solid blocks, carved up for specific laboratory needs. Each form shows the same basic chemical characteristics but flows, stores, measures, and dissolves slightly differently depending on the grain size. Liquid forms come up rarely, reserved for concentrated lab solutions, never for bulk shipments due to stability limits.

Solubility and Solutions

Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate Trihydrate proves highly soluble in cold and hot water. Solutions stay clear and transparent, even at high concentrations—around 167 grams dissolve per liter at room temperature. Mix with other phosphates, or drop in some sodium chloride, and most applications find the resulting mixtures easy to manage. This solubility keeps it snapping into action as a buffer—strong enough for pharmaceutical labs, gentle enough for food-grade processes in rare cases.

HS Code and Identification

Moving this material through global trade requires the right paperwork and identification. The Harmonized System Code, or HS Code, identifies Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate Trihydrate under 2835.24. Packing slips, shipping manifests, storage records—everyone in the supply chain leans heavily on this code for fast, consistent tracking across ports and customs. Clear labeling makes quality audits smoother, keeps labs running, and holds up under regulatory review.

Handling, Safety, and Chemical Hazards

Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate Trihydrate falls outside the range of dangerous industrial chemicals, but that never means it deserves less respect. Touching bare skin or getting dust in the eyes stings and dries out tissue, and nobody in the lab enjoys the taste if the powder finds its way onto a finger during weighing. Breathing dust churned up during handling can irritate the nose and throat, so respirators and gloves make sense every time the container is open. Considered stable under normal storage conditions, it does not yield hazardous decomposition products on its own, but mixing with strong acids spells trouble—vigorous reactions, hazardous fumes. The Material Safety Data Sheet marks this chemical as non-flammable, but storing away from incompatible acids and oxidizers is best practice.

Specifications and Quality Control

USP, BP, and EP pharma grade mean high purity, typically above 98%. Assays run on every production lot check for minimum and maximum potassium content, water percentage, and phosphate accuracy. Labs look for heavy metals at less than a tenth of a part per million. Chloride, sulfate, and organic impurities get tested with the same strict rigor—falling outside those boundaries shuts down a shipment before it leaves the dock. Pharmaceutical buyers often demand loss on drying records, clear listing of lot numbers, and chain-of-custody documents to show the whole chemical history from synthesis to shipping.

Raw Material Origins

Production starts with phosphoric acid, usually sourced in bulk from mineral phosphate rock using well-established industrial processes. Potassium carbonate or potassium hydroxide turns those acids into salts, trihydrate water locked in during crystallization. Purification at this step filters out most impurities before the final drying and grading, sending material that doesn’t meet spec back for recycling or disposal. Facilities feeding into pharmaceutical supply chains keep these processes under close control, sometimes monitored by third-party auditors.

Applications and Material Relevance

Dipotassium Hydrogen Phosphate Trihydrate travels into buffer solutions, IV fluids, and diagnostic reagent kits, showing up in formulations that need potassium and phosphate in controlled ratios. This balance plays a role in pH regulation, electrolyte replenishment, and sometimes even specialty nutrient solutions for sensitive cell cultures. Buffering capacity in the right pH window keeps biological samples stable long enough to yield meaningful results, so the structure and purity of this phosphate matter beyond a passing glance. Teams in lab environments notice that reliable quality chemicals keep experiments reproducible, and batches consistent between suppliers.

Environmental and Health Considerations

While not classed as a hazardous environmental threat, spills and run-off need to be cleaned quickly—phosphate in water systems can drive algae blooms and tip freshwater ecology out of balance. No dramatic toxicity to humans at routine exposure levels, but repeated large-scale exposure demands careful controls, especially if dust or accidental ingestion is in play. Awareness and training in proper chemical stewardship matter as much as gloves and goggles.

Packing, Storage, and Transport

Standard drum or bag packaging keeps humidity out and granules dry. Most pharmacies, labs, and plants use sealed, high-density polyethylene containers with tamper-proof closures. Storage away from acids, moisture, and volatile chemicals ensures no product degradation from accidents or cross-reactivity. Labels carry detailed product code, batch number, specifications, and expiry date. Handling gear—pallet jacks, chemical scoops, calibrated measuring vessels—reinforce careful routines that cut down on accidents and wastage.

Solutions for Better Safety and Quality

Raising the bar for safety with better ventilation in weighing and mixing areas, regular staff training, and clear process documentation slashes risk. Investment in automated weighing and dispensing trims mistakes down to nearly zero and takes the guesswork out of prepping high-stakes solutions. Upstream, keeping suppliers accountable to strict documentation and transparent quality audits tightens trust across the supply chain. In the bigger picture, educators and industry managers can drive research toward greener production routes, improved recovery of phosphate waste, and smarter container recycling programs. All these steps together make sure the chemical serves medical science without letting preventable hazards slip past busy schedules.