trífosfat

Trifosfat is a term that can refer to several chemical compounds, most commonly the phosphate anion with the chemical formula PO4^3-. This anion is a fundamental component of numerous biological and geological processes. In biology, the triphosphate form, specifically adenosine triphosphate (ATP), is the primary energy currency of the cell. ATP stores and releases energy through the hydrolysis of its phosphate bonds. Other triphosphate molecules play roles in metabolism and cellular signaling.

In inorganic chemistry, trifosfat can also describe salts containing the PO4^3- anion, such as sodium trifosfat (Na3PO4). These salts have various industrial applications, including use in detergents, water treatment, and food processing as emulsifiers and buffering agents. The term can also occasionally refer to polyphosphate chains containing three phosphate units linked together. The properties and specific roles of trifosfat compounds are highly dependent on their context, whether biological or chemical. Their importance spans from the fundamental energy transfer within living organisms to widespread industrial uses.