Review

Trisodium Phosphate is a chemical compound, also known as TSP, is a highly soluble inorganic compound.

The name defines the structure of the molecule

• "Tri". Indicates the presence of three sodium atoms in the compound.
• "Sodium". It's an alkali metal, symbol Na, with atomic number 11. It's an essential element for life and plays a key role in regulating blood pressure and plasma volume.
• "Phosphate". Indicates the presence of a phosphate group, which is an ester of phosphoric acid.

Description of raw materials used in production

• Disodium Phosphate (Na₂HPO₄) - A common precursor for the production of trisodium phosphate.
• Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) - Used to raise the pH and convert disodium phosphate into trisodium phosphate.

Step-by-step summary of industrial chemical synthesis process.

• Mixing - Disodium phosphate and sodium hydroxide are mixed in water.
• Chemical Reaction - The mixture reacts according to the equation: Na₂HPO₄ + NaOH → Na₃PO₄ + H₂O.
• Separation - After the reaction, the solution is separated from unreacted products and impurities.
• Crystallization - The solution is cooled to allow the trisodium phosphate to crystallize.
• Filtration - The trisodium phosphate crystals are separated from the mother solution by filtration.
• Drying - The crystals are dried to remove residual moisture.
• Packaging - The dry trisodium phosphate is packaged in suitable containers for transport and sale.
• Quality Control - The final product undergoes various quality checks to ensure it meets specifications.

It appears in the form of a white powder. 

What it is for and where

Cosmetics

Buffering agent. It is an iingredient that can bring an alkaline or acid solution to a certain pH level and prevent it from changing, in practice a pH stabiliser that can effectively resist instability and pH change.

Chelating agent. It has the function of preventing unstable reactions and improving the bioavailability of chemical components within a product, and removes calcium and magnesium cations that can cause cloudiness in clear liquids.

Medical

Trisodium phosphate is commonly found in cosmetic products, as a cleaning agent, lubricant, food additive, stain remover, but in medicine it has a strong antibacterial component that effectively and jointly contrasts with citric acid, the fungal activity of Pityrosporum (1).

It also has an anti-inflammatory and anti-itch function and is considered safe for the skin (2).

Recent studies have evaluated it as an inhibitor, together with ethanol, of the Norovirus virus, very contagious responsible for gastric disorders (3).

It is an effective antimicrobial against foodborne pathogens (4).

Commercial applications

Detergent and degreaser. Trisodium phosphate is used as a detergent and degreaser in industrial and household applications.

Food additive. Used as a stabiliser, emulsifier and pH regulator in some foods, designated as E339.

Household cleaning. Used as a cleaner for hard surfaces, such as floors and walls.

Surface preparation for painting. Used to remove old paint and prepare surfaces for painting.

Water treatment. Used in swimming pools and water treatment plants to control water hardness and corrosion.

Trisodium phosphate studies

• Molecular Formula  Na₃PO₄  Na₃O₄P
• Peso molecolare  163.939 g/mol
• CAS  7601-54-9 
• EC Number  231-509-8
• MDL number  MFCD00003510
• PubChem Substance ID 24861072

Sinonimi:

• Ortofosfato trisodico
• Fosfato di sodio
• Sodium orthophosphate
• Sodium phosphate
• Anhydrous: Na3PO4; Hydrated: Na3PO4nH2O (n = 1/2, 1, 6, 8, or 12)
• disodium acid phosphate
• disodium hydrogen phosphate
• Tribasic sodium phosphate
• phosphoric acid, trisodium salt
• phosphoric acid, disodium salt
• phosphoric acid, disodium salt, 32P-labeled
• phosphoric acid, disodium salt, anhydrous
• phosphoric acid, disodium salt, dodecahydrate