Britannica
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What are major uses of phosphoric acid?
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oxyacid
The structure of phosphorous acid, H3PO3.
Phosphoric acid () is a versatile chemical compound with numerous industrial and commercial applications. Its primary uses include:
- Fertilizer Production: It is the most important oxygen acid of phosphorus, used extensively to manufacture phosphate salts for fertilizers. It is specifically employed to produce triple superphosphate, which provides a high concentration of useful phosphorus oxide for agriculture.123
- Food and Beverage Industry: It serves as an acidic, fruitlike flavoring agent in various food products and soft drinks, where it is valued for its pleasant taste and nutritive properties.123
- Industrial and Chemical Applications:
- Metal Treatment: It is utilized in rust-proofing metals.3
- Manufacturing: It is used in the preparation of albumin derivatives and in the sugar and textile industries.1
- Water Treatment: It is used in the treatment of boiler water in steam plants.2
- Other Uses: It is applied in dental cements and in the production of various phosphate compounds used in soaps, detergents, and baking powder.12