Dimagnesium phosphate explained

Dimagnesium phosphate is a compound with formula MgHPO₄. It is a Mg²⁺ salt of monohydrogen phosphate. The trihydrate is well known, occurring as a mineral.^[1]

It can be formed by reaction of stoichiometric quantities of magnesium oxide with phosphoric acid.

MgO + H₃PO₄ → MgHPO₄ + H₂ODissolving monomagnesium phosphate in water, forms phosphoric acid and depositing a solid precipitate of dimagnesium phosphate trihydrate:

Mg(H₂PO₄)₂ + 3 H₂O → Mg(HPO₄)^.3H₂O + H₃PO₄

The compound is used as a nutritional supplement, especially for infants and athletes. Its E number is E343.^[2]

See also

• Magnesium phosphate

References

1. Book: Klaus Schrödter. Gerhard Bettermann. Thomas Staffel. Friedrich Wahl. Thomas Klein. Thomas Hofmann. Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Phosphoric Acid and Phosphates. Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. 2008. Wiley-VCH. Weinheim. 10.1002/14356007.a19_465.pub3. 978-3527306732. 94458523 .
2. relevant part of the German “Zusatzstoff-Zulassungsverordnung ”, the official German implementation of the respective regulation of the European Union