What is the Difference Between Ortho Pyro and Meta Phosphoric Acid?

The main difference between ortho pyro and meta phosphoric acid lies in the number of phosphoric acid units and their structure. Here are the key differences:

• Ortho Phosphoric Acid:
• Contains one phosphoric acid unit.
• Chemical formula: H3PO4.
• Weak mineral acid.
• Non-toxic and important for plants as a major source of phosphorous.
• Molar mass: 97.99 g/mol.
• Pyro Phosphoric Acid:
• Contains two phosphoric acid units, linked together by a single oxygen atom.
• Chemical formula: H4P2O7.
• Stronger acid than ortho phosphoric acid.
• Meta Phosphoric Acid:
• Contains more than two phosphoric acid units, linked in a linear chain.
• Chemical formula: HPO3.
• Stronger acid than ortho and pyro phosphoric acids.

In summary, ortho phosphoric acid is a single phosphate unit, pyro phosphoric acid contains two phosphate units linked together, and meta phosphoric acid has more than two phosphate units linked in a linear chain. Ortho phosphoric acid is the weakest of the three, while pyro and meta phosphoric acids are stronger acids.

Comparative Table: Ortho Pyro vs Meta Phosphoric Acid

The difference between ortho pyro and meta phosphoric acid can be summarized in the following table:

Ortho phosphoric acid, also known as phosphoric acid or orthophosphoric acid, is a weak inorganic acid with the chemical formula H3PO4. It is a non-toxic acid and is an important source of phosphorous for plants. Pyro phosphoric acid, with the chemical formula H4P2O7, has two phosphoric acid units and is a salt formed from pyrophosphoric acid. Meta phosphoric acid, with the general formula HPO3(n), has cyclic structures with three or more phosphoric acid units bonded in a ring, and its simplest compound is trimetaphosphoric acid (H3P3O9).