A metaphosphate ion is an oxyanion that has the empirical formula PO
3
.[1] It was first postulated in 1955[2] but was not observed until 1979, when it was detected by mass spectrometry.[3] Metaphosphate is an intermediate in the hydrolysis of phosphate esters but it is difficult to isolate, as it readily hydrolyses to from a dihydrogen phosphate ion ([H
2
PO
4
]
) and tends to self-react in the absence of water to form rings or infinite chains:[4] These species are also called metaphosphates and are generally stable, with some such as sodium trimetaphosphate being produced on an industrial scale.

Trimetaphosphate is a cyclic trimer formed by the self reaction of metaphosphate ions

Metaphosphates can be used as an alternative of white phosphorus in organic syntheses.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Averbuch-Pouchot, M.T; Durif, A. (1996). Topics in Phosphate Chemistry. World Scientific Pub Co Inc. ISBN 981-02-2634-9.
  2. ^ Butcher, W. W.; Westheimer, F. H. (May 1955). "The Lanthanum Hydroxide Gel Promoted Hydrolysis of Phosphate Esters". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 77 (9): 2420–2424. doi:10.1021/ja01614a018.
  3. ^ Harvan, Donald J.; Hass, J. Ronald; Busch, Kenneth L.; Bursey, Maurice M.; Ramirez, Fausto; Meyerson, Seymour (November 1979). "Direct observation of the monomeric metaphosphate anion". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 101 (24): 7409–7410. doi:10.1021/ja00518a050.
  4. ^ Regitz, Manfred; Maas, Gerhard (1981). "Short-lived phosphorus(V) compounds having coordination number 3". Organic Chemistry. 97: 71–120. doi:10.1007/BFb0037041.
  5. ^ "Sidestepping white phosphorus". C&EN Global Enterprise. 96 (7): 7. 2018. doi:10.1021/cen-09607-scicon1. ISSN 2474-7408.