Definition

1. Noun:
   • A salt or ester of polyphosphoric acid: A chemical compound containing multiple phosphate groups linked together in a chain. These are often used in industrial and biological processes.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Sodium tripolyphosphate is a common polyphosphate used in detergents.
  • Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a crucial energy currency in cells, is a type of polyphosphate.
  • The water treatment plant added a polyphosphate to prevent scale formation in the pipes.

Advanced Usage

• "Polyphosphate accumulation": Refers to the storage of polyphosphates within cells, such as in certain bacteria.
  • Microbial polyphosphate accumulation is studied in wastewater treatment.
• "Polyphosphate kinase": An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of polyphosphates.
  • The gene encoding polyphosphate kinase was identified.

Variants and Related Words

• Polyphosphoric acid (n): The parent acid from which polyphosphates are derived.
  • Polyphosphoric acid is a viscous liquid used as a reagent.
• Tripolyphosphate (n): A specific polyphosphate containing three phosphate units.
  • Tripolyphosphate is a sequestering agent.
• Metaphosphate (n): A related type of phosphate compound, often a cyclic polyphosphate.
  • Sodium metaphosphate is a glassy solid.

Synonyms

• Condensed phosphate: A general term for phosphates with P-O-P linkages, including polyphosphates.
• Polyphosphate ester: Specifically denotes the ester form of a polyphosphate.

Related Phrases

• Polyphosphate glasses: Amorphous solids composed of polyphosphate chains.
  • These polyphosphate glasses have unique optical properties.
• Inorganic polyphosphate: A linear polymer of orthophosphate residues, distinct from organic esters.
  • Inorganic polyphosphate is found in all living cells.

Noun

1. a salt or ester of polyphosphoric acid