Characterization of the ionization of phosphoric acid using Raman spectroscopy
Abstract
Ionization of sodium dihydrogen phosphate in aqueous solutions of hydrochloric acid of various concentrations has been studied using Raman spectroscopy. The known acidities of phosphoric acid were found to lie at pH 12, 6.5 and 2.1. When the concentration of hydrochloric acid is increased up to 12 mol dm–3, the Raman band at 1176 cm–1(PO like) disappeared and the band at 993 cm–1[P(OH) like] shifted. This can be attributed to the new molecular species P(OH)+4: the perprotonated form of phosphoric acid.