Calcium pyrophosphate
chemical compound
Calcium pyrophosphate refers to any member of a series of inorganic compound with the formula Ca2P2O7(H2O)n. They are white solids that are insoluble in water. They contain the pyrophosphate anion, although sometimes they are referred to as phosphates. The inventory includes an anhydrous form, a dihydrate (Ca2P2O7·2H2O), and a tetrahydrate (Ca2P2O7·4H2O). Deposition of dihydrate crystals in cartilage is responsible for the severe joint pain in cases of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (pseudo gout) whose symptoms are similar to those of gout. Ca2P2O7 is commonly used as a mild abrasive agent in toothpastes because of its insolubility and nonreactivity toward fluoride.
In 2025, a natural analogue of synthetic β-Ca2P2O7 was found in a super-deep diamond from the Chapadão plateau, Mato Grosso, Brazil. It has been named grahampearsonite to recognize the contributions to diamond research of Graham Pearson.
Preparation
Crystals of the tetrahydrate can be prepared by treating a solution of sodium pyrophosphate with calcium nitrate with careful control of pH and temperature:
Na4P2O7(aq)+2 Ca(NO3)2(aq)→ Ca2P2O7·4 H2O + 4 NaNO3
The dihydrate, sometimes termed CPPD, can be formed by the reaction of pyrophosphoric acid with calcium chloride:
CaCl2 + H4P2O7(aq) → Ca2P2O7·2 H2O + HCl.
The anhydrous forms can be prepared by heating dicalcium phosphate:
2 CaHPO4 → Ca2P2O7 + H2O
At 240-500 °C an amorphous phase is formed, heating to 750 °C forms β-Ca2P2O7, heating to 1140 - 1350 °C forms the α-Ca2P2O7.
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