Orthofosfát

Orthofosfát refers to the anion, salts, or esters of orthophosphoric acid. Orthophosphoric acid, with the chemical formula H3PO4, is the most common of the phosphoric acids. The orthofosfát anion has the chemical formula PO4^3-. In aqueous solution, phosphoric acid can exist in equilibrium with various phosphate species depending on the pH, including dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4^-) and hydrogen phosphate (HPO4^2-) ions.

Orthofosfáty are widespread in nature and play crucial roles in biological systems. They are essential components of DNA and RNA, the building blocks of genetic material, and are vital for energy storage and transfer in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Bones and teeth are largely composed of calcium orthofosfát. Industrially, orthofosfáty are used in fertilizers, detergents, food additives, and water treatment. The term "phosphate" is often used interchangeably with "orthofosfát" in many contexts, though technically, "phosphate" can also refer to other types of phosphorus-oxygen compounds.