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Glite Dictionary
trisodium orthophosphate

trisodium orthophosphate

9.5
A chemical used in soaps and cleaning products to help them clean
  • noun
  • /traɪˈsoʊdiəm ˌɔrθoʊˈfɔsfeɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ortofosfato trisódico
  • The chemical formula for trisodium orthophosphate is Na3PO4.

Examples

  • The cleaning power of this detergent is enhanced by the presence of trisodium orthophosphate.

  • Many manufacturers have reduced trisodium orthophosphate in their products due to environmental concerns.

  • Industrial water treatment often involves the use of trisodium orthophosphate as an additive.

  • Many cleaning products contain trisodium orthophosphate as a key ingredient.

  • Industrial water treatment often involves the use of trisodium orthophosphate as an additive in various processes.

  • Many cleaning products contain trisodium orthophosphate because it helps to enhance their effectiveness.

  • Manufacturers have started to limit the amount of trisodium orthophosphate in detergents to address environmental impacts.

Synonyms

tribasic sodium phosphate
vstrisodium orthophosphate
  • Specialized
6.8

A white chemical salt that softens water and helps remove dirt in detergents

is the alternative systematic name for the same chemical compound
trisodium phosphate
vstrisodium orthophosphate
  • Specialized
6.0

A white powder that cleans heavy dirt and grease in soaps and cleaners

is used more broadly across industrial settings beyond just cleaning

Surface Forms

trisodium orthophosphate singular
trisodium orthophosphates plural

Morphology

trisodium + orthophosphate

The term is fully compositional: 'trisodium' denotes three sodium atoms/ions and 'orthophosphate' denotes the phosphate ion, so together they describe the sodium salt with three sodiums (Na3PO4). This follows regular chemical-naming conventions that are systematic and cross-linguistically consistent, so a learner who knows the constituent meanings can infer the compound.

Etymology

Trisodium orthophosphate literally names its parts: tri- means 'three', sodium is a common metal, and orthophosphate is the phosphate part. So the name tells you it is a phosphate with three sodium atoms, which is why it is used in cleaning and industrial products.