7580. Polyphosphoric Acid

Nomenclature

Phospholeum; tetraphosphoric acid.

Description and references

May be prepd by heating H3PO4 with sufficient phosphoric anhydride to give the resulting product an 82-85% P2O5 content: Bell, Ind. Eng. Chem. 40, 1464 (1949); Van Wazer, Holst, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 72, 639 (1950); Kennard, Org. Chem. Bull. 29, no. 1 (1957). Consists of about 55% tripolyphosphoric acid, the remainder being H3PO4 and other polyphosphoric acids. Typical analysis: 83.0% P2O5; ortho equivalent 115.0%.

Properties

Viscous liquid at room temps. Conveniently fluid at 60°. Solidifies to a glass at low temps. Sol in water with evolution of heat and hydrolysis to H3PO4.

Caution

In strong concns moderately irritating to skin, mucous membranes.

Use

In organic synthesis for cyclizations and acylations.