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Phosphate ion

PO43−PO_4^{3-}

Charge: 3- · Type: Polyatomic anion · Molar mass: 94.970 g/mol

Made of: phosphorus, oxygen

How it forms

Phosphoric acid can lose up to three protons; losing all three gives PO4^3-. In the body it mostly exists as HPO4^2- and H2PO4-, which buffer cellular fluids.

Naming note

PO4^3- is the phosphate ion. Its protonated forms are hydrogen phosphate (HPO4^2-) and dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4-).

Examples in compounds

  • Calcium phosphate

  • Sodium phosphate

  • Ammonium phosphate

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