Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
tetrasodium pyrophosphate

tetrasodium pyrophosphate

8.7
A powder used in toothpaste, food, and detergents to control tartar and soften water
  • noun
  • /ˌtɛtrəˈsoʊdiəm ˌpaɪrəˈfɔsfeɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pirofosfato de tetrasodio
  • The cleaning power of some laundry detergents is enhanced by tetrasodium pyrophosphate.

Examples

  • Many cleaning products contain tetrasodium pyrophosphate as a key ingredient.

  • The formula for tetrasodium pyrophosphate is Na4P2O7.

  • Tetrasodium pyrophosphate is commonly added to toothpaste as a tartar control agent.

  • Food manufacturers sometimes use tetrasodium pyrophosphate as a food additive to retain moisture.

  • Many cleaning products contain tetrasodium pyrophosphate as a key ingredient for effective stain removal.

  • The cleaning power of some laundry detergents is enhanced by tetrasodium pyrophosphate, making clothes brighter and fresher.

  • Food manufacturers sometimes use tetrasodium pyrophosphate as a food additive to help keep canned foods moist.

Synonyms

sodium pyrophosphate
vstetrasodium pyrophosphate
  • Specialized
6.7

A chemical used in soaps and detergents to help them clean and in foods to improve texture

is a specific sodium salt with a defined formula and water softening use

Surface Forms

tetrasodium pyrophosphate singular
tetrasodium pyrophosphates plural

Morphology

tetrasodium + pyrophosphate

The compound name is systematically compositional in chemical nomenclature: 'tetrasodium' denotes four sodium ions and 'pyrophosphate' denotes the pyrophosphate anion, so together they describe the sodium salt of pyrophosphoric acid. However, these are specialized morphemes/terms (Greek numeral prefix and technical anion name) that a typical B1 learner without chemistry knowledge would not reliably interpret, so the transparency is partial.

Etymology

Tetrasodium pyrophosphate is a chemical name that tells you its parts: tetra- means 'four', sodium is a common salt, and pyrophosphate is two phosphate parts joined together. So, the name shows it is a kind of 'salt' with four sodiums, which helps explain why it is used in cleaners and to 'soften water'.