What is "pyrophosphoric acid"

n. 1 A syrupy liquid formed by the dehydration of phosphoric acid; its salts, the pyrophosphates, are used in medicine. 2 (context inorganic compound English) The acid formed by removing a molecule of water from two molecules of phosphoric acid, H₄P₂O₇; this reaction slowly reverses in the presence of water.

n. a solid acid formed by reactions of orthophosphoric acid

Pyrophosphoric acid, also known under the name diphosphoric acid, is colorless, odorless, hygroscopic and is soluble in water, diethyl ether, and ethyl alcohol. The anhydrous acid has two different forms, which melt at 54.3 °C and 71.5 °C. It is best prepared by ion exchange from sodium pyrophosphate or by reacting hydrogen sulfide with lead pyrophosphate. When phosphoric acid is dehydrated pyrophosphoric acid is produced as one of the products. When molten pyrophosphoric acid rapidly forms an equilibrium mixture of phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acids. The percentage by weight of pyrophosphoric acid is around 40% and it is difficult to recrystallise from the melt. In aqueous solution pyrophosphoric acid like all polyphosphoric acids hydrolyses and eventually an equilibrium is established between phosphoric acid pyrophosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acids. When highly diluted an aqueous solution of pyrophosphoric acid contains only phosphoric acid.

Pyrophosphoric acid is a medium strong inorganic acid. Anions, salts, and esters of pyrophosphoric acid are called pyrophosphates.

While pyrophosporic acid is corrosive, it is not known to be otherwise toxic.