Talk:Phosphate

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If a complex ion is a metal coordinated entity, how can phosphate be a complex ion? No metal. The older chemical meaning of the term radical seems appropriate, though. - Dwmyers

...there should be mention of phosphate mining's ecological destruction, especially in small south pacific islands which have been devastated.

Contents 1 Phosphate expressed as a functional group 2 Phosphates - The Drink 3 phosphonate 4 Phosphate in foods 5 Molecular mass

[edit] Phosphate expressed as a functional group

Consider adding:

In a phosphate group, a phosphorous atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms; one oxygen is bonded to the carbon skeleton; two oxygens carry negative charges. The phosphate group (—OPO₃^2-) is an ionized form of a phosphoric acid group (—OPO₃H₂; note the two hydrogens). Organic phosphates, unlike the hydrogenphosphate ion HPO₄²⁻, which is the conjugate base of H₂PO⁴⁻, typically do not express Hydrogen before the Phosphate; —OPO₃^2- reveals that the anterior oxygen is bound to the carbon skeleton.

Niubrad 21:33, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Phosphates - The Drink

I was looking for information on the old-timey concoction that they used to call a "phosphate". I'm frankly not sure if there is any actual phosphate in a phosphate (there probably was, as phosphoric acid, to add a "tart" flavor to the drink). I got the following from the "Free Online Dictionary":

3. A soda fountain drink made by blending carbonated water with flavored syrup.

It doesn't mention phosphate as an ingredient, but I found a number of references to Coke and Pepsi as being high in phosphates (read The health effects of drinking soda - quotes from the experts). I also found on this page that "Coke and other soft drinks are acidified with phosphoric acid[...]"

Of course, this goes on the assumption that a "phosphate" was a type of soft drink similar to what we call soft drinks or soda pop today. The only fact that I am sure of is that it was something created at a "soda fountain" (which I believe was also often the local pharmacy). I have a bunch of disparate information, but nothing solid that I could use to update the Phosphate entry or start a new derivation.

I'm hoping this will spark someone with real knowledge to do so.

Some soda fountains of the fifties kept a bottle of "phosphate" near the spot where soft drinks were concocted, and a customer could order, for example, a cherry coke with phosphate. One drop would add some tartness; two drops resulted in a major pucker. Cherry cokes were a prime candidate for this treatment as the cherry flavoring lent an abundance of sweetness. The phosphate, whatever it was, was a clear thin liquid.

NOTE: A phosphate may also be a soda fountain drink, composed of mineral water and a flavored syrup. I suggest to remove this sentence in the lead. From my understanding this article is about the chemical compund, not a soda drink. If that drink is really worth mentioning in any encyclopedia (never heard of it before) it might get its own entry. Any objections? --Splette ^Talk 17:27, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

No objection. I'm removing it. =) JohnJohn 19:16, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] phosphonate

What's a phosphonate? I know they are something to do with detergents but how (if at all) do they differ from phosphates

[edit] Phosphate in foods

Is it really necessary to add phosphates into food?

[edit] Molecular mass

The molecular weight of the phosphate ion (PO₄) is, in fact, approximately 94.97 Daltons (30.97 + 16.00 + 16.00 + 16.00 + 16.00) — despite some subtle vandalism to the contrary. Twisted86 06:21, 21 September 2006 (UTC)